§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she is aware of the increased number of unemployed who will be drawing unemployment pay in the coming autumn and winter; whether she will seek to increase the present allowance up to a figure nearer to the average national wage; and what is the estimated cost in benefits either per week or annually of 600,000, 800,000 and one million unemployed, respectively.
§ Mr. PentlandI would remind my hon. Friend that unemployment benefit is to be increased from 6th October next by supplements of up to £7 a week based on previous earnings. The estimated weekly cost of unemployment benefit, including earnings-related supplement, for the numbers of unemployed quoted is about £2½ million, £3¾ million and £5 million respectively.