§ Mr. Dubsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the national insurance fund is currently in surplus or deficit; by how much; and what was the comparable figure a year ago;
(2) what have been the contributions received by the national insurance fund so far in the present financial year; and what was the comparable figure for 1980–81;
(3) if he will list, under the relevant headings, the payments made out of the national insurance fund in the present financial year; and if he will provide comparable information for 1980–81.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI have been asked to reply.
Information is not kept in the form requested. However, the estimated expenditure on benefits in April and May 1980 and in the corresponding period in 1981 was £2,240 million and £2,820 million respectively. The equivalent figures for contribution receipts were £1,900 million and £2,320 million. The value of the national insurance fund investments held by the National Investments and Loans Office on 31 March 1980 and 31 May 1980 was £4,360 million and £4,380 million respectively. The corresponding figures in 1981 were £4,290 million and £3,975 million.