§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost of unemployment benefit in each of the past three calendar years, 1973 to 1975; and what is his estimate of the cost in 1976.
§ Mr. DeakinsExpenditure figures for calendar years are not readily available, 499W but the cost of unemployment benefit in the past three financial years has been as follows: 1973–74, £174 million; 1974–75, £214 million; 1975–76, £454 million.
It is estimated that the cost of unemployment benefit for the 1976–77 financial year will be £568 million.