HC Deb 30 November 1927 vol 211 cc485-6
25. Sir FRANK SANDERSON

asked the Minister of Labour what is the cost of unemployment grants and unemployment insurance per head of the population for the two years ended 31st March, 1914, and 31st March, 1927?

Mr. BETTERTON

Since the present scheme of grants in aid of schemes of work for persons unemployed started in 1920 it is not possible to institute a comparison of the cost per head of the population of unemployment grants for the years 1914 and 1927. The annual amounts expended in unemployment benefit (including the cost of administration, etc.) in the years ended 31st March, 1914, and 31st March, 1927, expressed as so much per head of the numbers insured against unemployment at the respective dates were about 7s. 6d. and £4 15s. respectively.

Mr. ERNEST BROWN

Is it not the case that in 1914 about 2,500,000 persons were insured and that now there are nearly 12,000,000?

Mr. BETTERTON

The figures given by the hon. Gentleman are approximately correct.