§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Labour if he can give an estimate of the relief to the Unemployment Insurance Fund if the Admiralty estimate of a cruiser employing 3.500 men continuously for three years is accepted, and the assumption is made that the insurance fund is relieved of an average of 3.500 men and two dependants per man?
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§ Mr. BETTERTONThe question whether the employment of men on the construction of a, cruiser would result in a corresponding diminution in total in the claims on the Unemployment Fund is one which depends on so many uncertain factors that I cannot answer it with any certainty. As regards the second part of the question, if 3,500 men, each with two dependants (a wife and a child) drew benefit at a weekly rate of 25s. for three years continuously the total amount drawn would be over £650,000. If the men were assumed to have the average number of dependants found to appertain to male applicants generally, the total amount drawn, in the same circumstances, would be between £400,000 and £450,000.