§ Sir A. Wilsonasked the Minister of Labour what is the rate of the expenses of administering unemployment benefit to the net contribution of the insurance account of the Unemployment Fund for the last three financial years?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe cost of administration of unemployment insurance expressed as a percentage of the net contribution income of the insurance account of the Unemployment Fund for the last three financial years was as follows:
Year ended 31st March. Per cent. 1936 7.0 1937 7.6 1938 7.8 The rise in the percentage is due mainly to the reduction in the rates of contributions under the General Scheme in July, 1936, and to the extension of unemployment insurance, at lower rates of contributions, to employment in agriculture in May, 1936, and February, 1937.