asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of transitional benefit within the Barnsley Exchange; and, if possible, the number that will be affected within the County Borough of Barnsley separately, distinguished from the total Exchange area that will be affected under the Economies Bill?

At 21st September, 1931, there were on the register of the Barnsley Employment Exchange 2,783 persons, including 211 women, with claims authorised for transitional benefit. Separate statistics are not available in respect of persons residing within the County Borough of Barnsley.

Is it not possible to obtain the information with regard to the Borough of Barnsley separate from the general Exchange figures, which include parts of the West Riding?

I will see if that can be done, and, if so, I will let the hon. Member know.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the estimated number of persons in Great

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will state the number of persons in receipt of transitional benefit signing on at each of the local Employment Exchanges supervised from Wigan and at the Exchanges supervised from St.

Britain insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts whose salaries or wages are less than three pounds per week?

I regret that the available information is insufficient to enable a satisfactory estimate to be made.

Can the hon. Gentleman not give us any idea?

This question was constantly before my predecessor, and she came to the conclusion, rightly, I think, that anything like a mere guess, which is all that we can do, would be of no use to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons within the areas of the Frome, Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Keynsham, Chew Magna, and Peasdown Employment Exchanges at present in receipt of unemployment,benefit, and the number at present in receipt of transitional benefit who under the Government's proposals will be referred to the public assistance committee for calculation of their rate of benefit?

As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

Helens; and the number that will come under the needs test by the operation of the National Economy Bill;

(2) the number of women signing on at each of the Employment Exchanges supervised from Wigan and those super- vised from St. Helens, specifying the number that are married; and the number on transitional benefit?

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the total number of unemployed in the county of Durham who will have to appear before the public assistance committee when the proposed Order in Council comes into force?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of persons in the county of Durham at present in receipt of unemployment benefit paid for the week ended 8th August; and the number in receipt of transitional benefit who, under the Government's proposal, will be referred to the public assistance committee for the calculation of their rate of benefit?

Statistics are not available showing the number now in receipt of benefit who received benefit during the week ended 8th August, 1931. At 21st September, 1931, there were 148,511 persons with claims admitted or under consideration on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the County of Durham, including 33,597 men and 1,725 women with claims authorised for transitional benefit. Of those in receipt of benefit other than transitional benefit at 14th September, 1931, 22,340 men and 1,299 women had received 156 days or

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

more in their current benefit years. I should point out, in view of the terms of question No. 28, that persons claiming transitional payments will not necessarily have to appear before a committee.

asked the Minister of Labour the cumber of unemployed persons registered at the Lincoln Employment Exchange who will be required to submit their claims for unemployment insurance benefit to the Poor Law authorities; and if he can state separately the numbers of men and women claimants who will be affected by the terms of the National Economy Bill?

At 21st September, 1931, there were 4,445 men and 386 women with claims admitted or under consideration on the register of the Lincoln Employment Exchange, of whom 1,114 men and 67 women had claims authorised for transitional benefit. Of those in receipt of benefit other than transitional benefit at 14th September, 1931, 668 men and 55 women had received 156 days or more in their current benefit years.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed persons are registered at Warrington and how many of these have drawn 26 or more weeks' benefit during the present benefit year, giving the figures for the last week for which both sets are available or for which a reliable estimate can be made?

At 21st September, 1931, there were 8,351 persons on the register of the Warrington Employment Exchange. This number included 839 men and 128 women with claims authorised for transitional benefit. Of those in receipt of benefit other than transitional benefit at 14th September, 1931, 896 men and 242 women had received 156 days or more in their current benefit years.

Mr. R. S. YOUNG:

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed in the borough of Islington to the latest convenient date, and the number now receiving transitional benefit?