§ 21. Mr. Rossasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the cost to the National Assistance Board of the experimental scheme relating to the long-term unemployed; and what is the estimated likely cost in 1961 of the extended scheme.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithNone, Sir. The measures described in the Board's 1960 Report for reviewing the health of certain unemployed recipients of allowances, as part of the process of helping to get them back into work, are producing a reduction in public expenditure which cannot be precisely estimated but plainly much exceeds the cost of the staff time devoted to them.
§ Mr. RossDoes the right hon. Lady appreciate that we certainly feel that this is one of the most interesting things that the Board did last year? Is she aware that we welcome the fact that it is being extended over the coming year to all 869 regions and that we trust that it will be administered with that humanity with which we always associate the Board?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI find myself in full agreement with the hon. Member and thank him for his comments.