HC Deb 04 March 1937 vol 321 cc512-3
16. Brigadier-General Clifton Brown

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that the administration expenses of the Agricultural Unemployment Insurance Fund were more than double the amount paid out in unemployment benefit for the first eight months of the scheme, he will take steps to reduce administration expenses in the future?

Mr. E. Brown

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the figures contained in the report of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee on the financial condition of the Agricultural Account of the Unemployment Fund on 31st December, 1936. My hon. and gallant Friend will remember that contributions under the agricultural scheme have been paid since 4th May, 1936, whereas benefit has been payable only since 5th November. It will be necessary to wait for a full year's experience before a comparison of the kind suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend can properly be made.

Brigadier-General Brown

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recommendation of the Committee was that the administration expenses should not cost more than one-eighth of the annual income?

Mr. Brown

Yes, Sir, and the amount is, and will be, within that.