§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of administration of unemployment benefits in (a) 1980–81 and (b) 1981–82; if he will estimate the cost for 1982–83; and what percentage it represented of the total cost of unemployment benefit in each year.
§ Mr. RossiThe information is as follows:
Unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit for unemployed people Year Admininstration cost Administration cost as a proportion of benefit expenditure £ million per cent. 1980–81 290 11.7 1981–82 380 9.4 1982–83* 450 9.4 * Estimated.