TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED UNEMPLOYED AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAID OUT IN FEBRUARY 1963

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Labour (a) what was the total number of registered unemployed on the 28th February, 1963; (b) what was the number of such unemployed receiving public assistance; and (c) what was the sum of public assistance disbursed for the month of February 1963.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Wee Toon Boon) (for the Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked to reply.

The total number of persons actively seeking employment assistance on the 28th February, 1963, was 33,673 persons. It cannot be said that all the 33,673 registrants are unemployed. There are persons who have registered themselves at the Employment Exchange in the hope of getting better employment elsewhere.

The total number of persons on the Employment Register receiving public assistance on 28th February, 1963, was 7,851.

The answer to the last part of the question is that the total amount of public assistance disbursements for February 1963 to 24,666 cases was $780,621.20.

Mr David Marshall: Do I understand that there were 24,000 cases for public assistance of unemployed in the month of February last?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: The unemployment cases who registered for public assistance on 28th February, 1963, was 7,851.

Mr David Marshall: What is the figure of 24,000 given then?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: That is the total number of cases that are registered with the Welfare Department for public assistance. It is the total number of cases.

Mr David Marshall: May I have information as to whether, in fact, there are persons registered for employment who are known to be employed? That is to say, there is no register of unemployed. But there is a register where people are taken in who are both employed and unemployed. Is that the position?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no separate registration. We have to accept everyone who wants to register with the Employment Exchange and who claims that he is unemployed, because there is no way of checking whether he is employed or not.

Mr David Marshall: In that case, is it fair then to say that the 33,673 claimed to be unemployed?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, we must not confuse. When we refer to the public assistance figures, it is the number of cases. A head of family may be unemployed and he registers himself for public assistance. So the number of 7,851 represents the number of cases that are classified as unemployed for public assistance.

Mr David Marshall: Forgive me, Mr Speaker. I have the figures, and it is the gentleman who is confused. I am referring to the figure of 33,673 registered on 28th February, 1963. Are those the people who claimed that they were unemployed? 33,673?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Sir, that is so.