To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the full cost including revenues forgone to the Exchequer of every extra 100,000 unemployed people in (a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93.

A rise of 100,000 in unemployment is estimated directly to add around £305 million to benefit expenditure in 1991–92 and £325 million to benefit expenditure in 1992–93 as shown in table 24 of the DSS Departmental Report, Cm 1514. Estimates of the effects on tax receipts and public finances as a whole would depend on the assumptions made.