§ Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Health the total amount paid as Poor Law relief by the public assistance committees in the County of Durham (including the boroughs) for the first week in February, 1932, and the corresponding period in 1934; and how much of the above sum was paid to the able-bodied unemployed and their dependants?
Sir H. YOUNGThe returns made to my Department as to the cost of out-relief relate to monthly periods. These returns, moreover, do not distinguish the cost of relief to the able-bodied unemployed. The following statement shows the total average weekly cost of out-relief in money and kind in the administrative County of Durham and the five associated county boroughs, and the average weekly cost in respect of out-relief to persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants during the month of February in 1932 and 1934. The primary cause of relief in a number of the latter cases may, however, be sickness and not unemployment.
During February. Average weekly cost of out-relief in money and kind. To all persons. To persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants (included in preceding column). £ £ 1932 20,849 9,139 1934 26,539 13,324