§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the costs to the Exchequer of unemployment in(a) 1979 and (b) the last year for which figures are available. [12688]
§ Mr. WaldegraveGross benefit payments to the unemployed in 1979–80 and 1994–95, at 1994–95 prices, are estimated to have been £3.4 billion and £9.1 billion respectively.