§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in Scotland have now exhausted their right to unemployment benefit; what proportion this represents of the total Scottish unemployed; how the Scottish position compares with other United Kingdom regions; and how the current position compares with 1970.
§ Mr. OrmeThe information requested is available only in relation to Great Britain and is as follows:
the National Health Service are not consolidated but are regarded as individual supplements to earnings. Under proposals to be discussed by the TUC on 16th June, any increase becoming operable in the period 1st August 1976 to 31st July 1977 would continue to be payable, as under the current policy, as an individual earnings supplement.