§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the weekly cost at the most recent date to social security of unemployment including unemployment benefit, supplementary allowances, family income supplement and other social security benefits;
(2) what is the average weekly amount paid in unemployment benefit in the most recent month.
§ Mr. DeanIn October, 1971, about £4½ million on unemployment benefit and £2½ million on supplementary allowances.
PERCENTAGE OF REGISTERED UNEMPLOYED ON 2ND AUGUST, 1971 IN RECEIPT OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT ON THAT DAY All males and females Males aged 18 over Females aged 18 over Males under 18 Females under 18 Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Great Britain … … … 49.7 54.6 47.4 19.4 17.5 South East … … … … 50.6 55.6 44.2 13.4 10.2 East Anglia … … … 52.3 57.2 39.9 23.0 19.9 South West … … … 46.5 50.3 37.8 22.2 22.0 West Midlands … … … 50.3 56.5 42.3 17.6 13.1 East Midlands … … … 46.1 51.0 38.7 17.4 16.4 Yorkshire and Humberside … 47.2 54.1 42.2 15.3 13.2 North West … … … 51.4 55.8 50.4 23.2 21.1 Northern … … … … 44.7 50.8 47.0 16.2 16.5 Wales … … … … 44.7 50.7 39.4 17.0 18.0 Scotland … … … … 55.2 57.3 61.5 30.3 28.1