§ 41. Mr. Ripponasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total public expenditure on benefits to the unemployed and their families in 1976–77 and 1977–78; and whether he expects any reduction in the current financial year.
§ Mr. OrmePublic expenditure on unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit to the unemployed and their families was £1,117 million in 1976–77 and £1,319 million in 1977–78. The estimated expenditure on these benefits for 1978–79 is £1,320 million.