HC Deb 18 October 1993 vol 230 c14W
Mr. Straw

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has as to the effect of a reduction in unemployment of 1 million people on local expenditure on(a) free school meals, (b) temporary accommodation for homeless families, (c) the element of benefits payments in respect of rents and council tax borne by local authorities and (d) the element of mandatory education awards borne by local authorities.

Mr. Portillo

I have no such estimate, and to produce one would require so many assumptions as to render the result almost meaningless.