asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the estimated increase in the income of the Supplementary Unemployment Fund in a full year as a result of the higher contribution rates payable from the 6th July next.

The income derived from weekly contributions under the Insurance (Intermittent Unemployment) Act, 1942, is dependent upon the level of employment in the building trade. If weekly contributions at the rates payable as from 6th July next had been in force during the calendar years ended 31st December, 1951, and 1952, the income from sales of supplementary insurance stamps would have been:—

representing increases of £53,300 and £51,500, respectively, over the actual income at present rates of contribution.