§ 35. Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked what is the contemplated annual cost to the State of the Unemployment Insurance Bill if that measure is passed into law?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf the Unemployment Insurance Bill is passed into law in the form proposed by the Government as indicated by the official Amendments on the Paper, the estimated amount of the annual contribution from the Exchequer to the Unemployment Fund, including the contributions in respect of sailors, soldiers, and airmen, is £3,437,000. To this has to be 1646 added the State grant to special schemes which is estimated at an annual sum of £410,000. For further details, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Report of the Government Actuary which has been circulated as Command Paper 796.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIf it is a fact that industries are carried on inefficiently and the output is low, how is this burden going to be borne by the State?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat raises a very large question which I could not undertake to deal with by question and answer.