§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for Industry what will be the total addition to employee costs in the Post Office, the British Steel Corporation and the National Coal Board, respectively, in 1977–78 of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's increase of 2 per cent. on employers' national insurance contributions.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldI understand from the industries concerned that the increase in employers' national insurance contributions, which it is proposed should take effect in April 1977, could be expected 459W to add something like the following to their costs in the first year: Post Office, £30 million; British Steel Corporation, £15 million.
The National Coal Board is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.