asked Her Majesty's Government:What sum of public money was paid in unemployment benefit to persons unable to find work during the financial year 1979–80; and what sum they expect to pay during the financial year 1980–81.

Expenditure on unemployment benefit in 1979–80 was £653 million; the latest available estimate of expenditure for 1980–81 is £992 million.House adjourned at twenty-seven minutes before twelve o'clock.