§ 21. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Labour what would be the estimated annual cost of transferring the whole of the burden at present borne by the Unemployment Insurance Fund to the Exchequer; and what would be the sum annually required if benefit were paid on a scale equal to the average weekly wage of workers employed in Great Britain?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)The additional cost to the Exchequer of transferring to it the whole of the burden at present borne by the Unemployment Insurance Fund would be about £42,000,000 per annum. As regards the second part of the question, I regret I cannot give an estimate.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDoes the hon. Gentleman consider that, with the aid 1943 of science, this nation is too poor to guarantee these people against starvation?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINNo one is starving in this country.