§ 18. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he has yet reached a decision on wage-related unemployment benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WoodI have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 24th February to a similar question from the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton).
§ Mr. LawsonWill the Minister bear in mind that this is now established practice in most of the advanced industrial countries? Will he also bear in mind that the Labour Party for a long time have advocated this? Will he further bear in mind that National Insurance contribution on a worker's earnings 18 now is markedly higher proportionately to the benefit he gets?
§ Mr. WoodI think the hon. Member has demonstrated that there are some very important questions to examine, and that is why this is taking some time.