§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the latest estimate of national insurance benefits and industrial injury benefits in England and Wales for 1973–74; and whether this estimate includes the changes in benefit level operational from 1st October 1973;
(2) what is the latest estimate of national insurance benefits and industrial injury benefits for 1973–74; and whether this estimate includes the changes in benefit level operational from 1st October 1973.
§ Mr. DeanEstimated expenditure in Great Britain in 1973–74 is £3,980 million. This estimate takes account of the October 1973 increase but does not include the forthcoming special £10 payments which are expected to cost the National Insurance Fund about £77 million. Separate estimates are not made for England and Wales and Scotland, but in 1971–72, the last year for which expenditure in Great Britain has been analysed, expenditure in Scotland was about 10 per cent. of the Great Britain total.