HC Deb 26 May 1982 vol 24 cc337-8W
Mr. McMahon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the average cost in terms of benefits paid to an unemployed person in the United Kingdom using the most recent available figures;

(2) what was the total cost of benefits paid to the unemployed throughout the United Kingdom during 1981–82; and to what extent this varied from the expectations contained in the March 1981 public expenditure White Paper.

We are still giving detailed consideration to the ideas and proposals that have been made, as well as to the recommendations in the board's report.