asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement giving details of the number of workers on short time, and the amounts of benefits paid in social security in the last month.

For details of the numbers of workers on short time I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him yesterday—[Vol. 867, c. 11–13]—by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Employment. Up to 11th January 1974, the latest date for which figures are available, about £1½ million had been paid in unemployment benefit on claims from those working short time because of the present electricity restrictions.