§ 4. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the total amount of extra financial commitments, including expenditure in relation to transitional benefit, incurred by the present Government since its accession to office?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI would refer to my answer of the 20th July. The total cost of transitional benefit in the current year was estimated at £35,000,000 in Command Paper 3890. It is impossible to say what is the extra financial commitment incurred by the present Government. Transitional benefit was being paid before the Government took office, although its cost was not met by the late Government out of the Budget but out of the Unemployment Fund which was supported by loans. The growth of the charge is due largely to the increase in unemployment.
§ Sir K. WOODHas not transitional benefit been very largely extended in its operation during the present Administration?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThe increased charge is due largely to increased unemployment.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSThen really the Treasury know nothing whatever about what expenditure they have incurred?