§ Mr. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of extending long-term supplementary benefit to people who have been unemployed for more than 12 months in 1985–86, giving the gross and net full year costs.
§ Mr. Whitney[pursuant to his reply, 4 March, c. 413]: It is estimated that the cost would be about £500 million in 1985–86. For the purpose of this costing there would be no offsetting savings from other benefits and the net and gross costs are therefore the same.