§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total costs of unemployment benefit, social security and housing benefit for the unemployed, together with an estimate of revenue foregone from income tax and value-added tax and other duties since 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84, together with his latest estimate for 1984–85.
§ Mr. Moore[pursuant to his reply, 4 March 1985]: Figures for benefits to the unemployed are provided in the table 3.12.5 of the current public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 9428). Estimates of associated changes in revenue 497W depend upon the assumed causes of unemployment. There is a wide range of possible effects and no single estimate can be given.