SOCIAL SERVICES (ADMINISTRA TION COST).

HC Deb 18 November 1938 vol 341 cc1221-2W

Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the percentage cost of administering unemployment, health insurance, and contributory old age pensions, respectively?

Sir S. Hoare

The following table gives the information requested for the period May, 1937, to 31st October, 1938.

Captain Wallace

The cost of administering the national schemes of Unemployment Insurance, Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions in Great Britain expressed as a percentage of the total expenditure on such schemes, including the cost of administration and allied services (but excluding debt charge in relation to Unemployment Insurance), was approximately as follows:

	Per cent.
Unemployment Insurance (1937–38)	12.1
Health Insurance (year ended 31st December, 1937)	14.6
Contributory Pensions (1937–38)	1.8

The accounts for Health Insurance relate to the calendar year, and the costs of administration include those of Approved Societies and Insurance Committees.

It is not possible to furnish figures for Contributory Old Age Pensions as distinct from other benefits of the contributory scheme.