§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Minister of Labour what would be the additional cost upon the Exchequer per annum if the distinction between covenanted and uncovenanted unemployment benefit was abolished?
§ Mr. SHAWUnemployment benefit, whether covenanted or uncovenanted, is paid out of the Unemployment Fund, to which the Exchequer contributes at present about one-quarter of its annual revenue. In these circumstances, an increase in the amount of benefit paid would not increase the charge on the Exchequer, so long as the rates of contribution 1791W from employers and employed remained the same, but it would prolong the period during which the present high rates of contribution from employers, employed and the Exchequer must continue to be paid. If the increase of benefit were such as to necessitate an increase in the rates of contribution, the annual charge on the Exchequer would be correspondingly increased, but it would not be possible to form any estimate of what this increase might be without knowing more precisely what the hon. Member has in mind when he speaks of abolishing the distinction between covenanted and uncovenanted benefit.
§ Mr. FOOTasked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persona drawing unemployment benefit for the week ending 22nd February, and the amount paid by way of unemployment benefit?
§ Mr. SHAWThe total amount of unemployment benefit paid in the week ended 22nd February was about £682,500, and the number of payments was about 931,000.