§ Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour whether he can give particulars of the number of persons in receipt of allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board on the last convenient date; the average amount of the allowance per recipient; the weekly cost of the allowances; and corresponding figures for 1938?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn the week ended 3rd November, 1939, the total number of payments of unemployment allowances in Great Britain (exclusive of allowances in supplementation of benefit) was 403,121; the average amount per payment was 22s. 10d.; and the total amount of such payments was approximately £459,400. For the corresponding week in November, 1938, the figures were 554,456, 23s. 3d., and £644,500 respectively. The figures for November, 1939, however, are not strictly comparable with those for November, 1938, since they include payments made under the provisions of the Unemployment Assistance (Prevention and Relief of Distress) Regulations to persons in distress as a result of circumstances caused by the war. Separate figures for such payments are not available.