§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people covered by the Ashington office. Northumberland, were receiving National Assistance grants at the latest convenient date; and how this compares with a similar date in 1951.
§ Mr. MarplesAt 26th October last, 4,760 regular weekly Assistance grants were being paid in the area covered by the Ashington office. A comparable figure for 1951 cannot be given, as in the meantime there have been substantial changes in the area covered by the office.