§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money has been paid out in (a) unemployment benefit and (b) social security benefits to those who are unemployed and their families in each of the past 10 years, including the figure so far for 1977.
§ Mr. OrmeThe information is as follows:
EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS PAYABLE BECAUSE OF UNEMPLOYMENT Year Unemployment benefit £ million Supplementary benefit paid to the unemployed £ million 1967–68 122 62 1968–69 123 75 1969–70 127 74 1970–71 150 88 1971–72 239 148 1972–73 209 182 1973–74 174 159 1974–75 214 190 1975–76 454 365 1976–77 559 558 April to July 1977 inclusive 184 200