HC Deb 18 January 1977 vol 924 cc170-1W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many married women, living with their husbands, drew unemployment benefit in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total cost of this to public funds.

Mr. Orme

I regret that information is not available in the form requested. However, the number of married women, whether or not living with their husbands, who were in receipt of unemployment benefit on four recent dates is as follows:

NUMBER OF MARRIED WOMEN IN RECEIPT OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT
3rd November 1975 … … … 39,681
2nd February 1976 … … … 48,504
3rd May 1976 … … … 50,238
2nd August 1976 … … … 52,057

The cost to public funds of unemployment benefit paid to married women is not separately identifiable.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether persons qualifying for unemployment benefit as a result of Section 111 of the Employment Protection Act will also qualify for supplementary benefit in appropriate cases.

Mr. Deakins

Yes.