asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in England and Wales on the live register of the Employment Exchanges who are in receipt of public assistance and also the number of persons dependent upon them; and whether the total is increasing or decreasing?

The number of persons in receipt of out-relief in England and Wales registered at Employment Exchanges is decreasing. The average number in June of this year was 114,274; in May, 121,358; in April, 123,511; and in January, 152,758. The number of dependants was respectively 204,914; 217,673; 222,034; and 301,879.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that those figures indicate that the rates of benefit have been reduced to a point where many thousands of recipients are still destitute?