§ 14. Mr. R. Robinsonasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the administrative costs of the Unemployment Fund (Agricultural Account) during the past year amounted to £245,016, while unemployment benefit distributed only amounted to £455,000; why the cost of administration of this fund is so high; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce these expenses?
§ Mr. E. BrownI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 17th February to the Hon. Member for Hallam (Mr. L. Smith), of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. RobinsonCan my right hon. Friend say that the ratio of expenses to benefits will be considerably reduced in the current year?
§ Mr. BrownIf my hon. Friend will study the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Hallam, he will discover that as a matter of fact the arrangement made whereby not more than one-eighth of the income is used in administration as recommended by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee, and he will also find out that there was a period of six months to begin with when discussions were in progress during which no payments were being made, but the work had to be carried on.