§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of unemployment benefit for each of the last five years, to the latest convenient date; and what was the cost of administration in each of those years.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe costs were as follows:
Unemployment Benefit £ million 1974–75 214 1975–76 454 1976–77 559 1977–78 629 1978–79 632 *Cost of administration £ million 1974–75 32 1975–76 51 1976–77 60 1977–78 67 1978–79 67 *Includes costs of Department of Employment, Department of Health and Social Security and other Government Departments.