§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average current cost to the Exchequer, allowing for the loss of income tax and national 23W insurance payments, and the obligation to pay unemployment and social security benefits, together with the effects on value added tax severance of reduced spending capacity, of having 322 persons unemployed compared to there being a productive employment in private manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThis information is not available. In order to attempt to quantify the cost it would be necessary not only to know about the personal circumstances but the likely duration of unemployment for each of the individuals concerned.