HC Deb 17 December 1975 vol 902 c668W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the Written Answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 18th July 1975 (Official Report, column 636) how many of the unemployed in November of each year since 1949 were in receipt of national assistance supplementary allowance only.

Mr. O'Malley

The information is as follows:

NUMBER OF PERSONS REGISTERED FOR EMPLOYMENT IN RECEIPT OF NATIONAL ASSISTANCE/SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT ONLY
Year* Number (thousands)
1949 36
1950 39
1951 33
1952 43
1953 46
1954 50
1955 41
1956 43
1957 55
1958 85
1959 96
1960 85
1961 86
1962 113
1963 123
1964 93
1965 78
1966 102
1967 138
1968 147
1969 157
1970 166
1971 258
1972† 305
1973 201
1974 228
* The figures refer to December each year up to 1966 and to November each year from 1967.
† Prior to 1972 the figures include unemployed claimants who may have received no payment of national assistance/supplementary benefit during the week covered by the count.

The information is quoted from the following sources: (a) 1949–63: Report of the National Assistance Board 1963, Appendix III; (b)1964–74: Social Security Statistics 1974. Table 34.30.