§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider seeking to amalgamate the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund and the Northern Ireland Industrial Injuries Fund with the appropriate Great Britain funds; and if he will make a
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Number of Unemployed Men Women Boys Girls Total In Northern Ireland … … 33,454 9,900 1,573 758 45,685 Of whom: Belfast … … 11,394 2,647 366 241 14,648 Londonderry … … 3,263 547 192 50 4,052 statement on the present financial backing of these two funds.
§ Mr. David HowellMy right hon. Friend has no plans to amalgamate these funds in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend.
The last published accounts showed that at the 31st March, 1971, the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund had a credit balance of £6.7 million backed by a reserve of over £18 million. At the same date the Northern Ireland Industrial Injuries Fund had a credit balance of £8.9 million represented almost entirely by investments.