§ Dr. Godmanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimate of the total cost to his Department of unemployment in (a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Greenock and Port Glasgow.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe overall cost of unemployment and supplementary benefit paid to the unemployed is estimated to be £5.6 billion in 1986–87. In addition, it is estimated that £1.15 billion will be paid in housing benefit, a benefit which can continue to be paid if the recipient finds employment. A regional breakdown of this expenditure would be available only at disproportionate cost. It is not possible to estimate the tax revenue forgone.