§ Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Pensions how many unemployed disabled ex-service men are in receipt of a pension; if he is aware that a large number of pensioners register at the Employment Exchanges, having no benefit to draw and no prospect of being found work; how many are receiving relief from the public assistance committees; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe particulars asked for with regard to Unemployment and Public Assistance do not come within the scope of my Department. I am, however, informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, that on the 5th April, the latest date for which his Department has figures, there were 33,398 disabled pensioners registered at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain, 1515W of whom 31,000 were applicants for unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance; and that during the quarter ending on the date referred to 4,687 disabled pensioners had been placed in employment by the Employment Exchanges.
With regard to the third part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11th February last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the effect that the statistical returns in the possession of the Department do not distinguish holders of disability pensions from other recipients of Poor Relief. I understand that the position in this respect is unchanged.
On the information before me I have no grounds for thinking that the situation calls for any special action which I should be competent to take.