HC Deb 27 June 1985 vol 81 c489W
54. Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on the level of the public sector borrowing requirement of the current level of unemployment in Scotlands.

Mr. Peter Rees

The current cost of benefits to the unemployed in Scotland is about £700 million. Since it is not possible to estimate the revenue forgone, the full effect on the public sector borrowing requirement cannot be estimated.