§ 29. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will recommend to the Governments of the Colonial and Trust Territories the introduction of schemes of family allowances, particularly where low wage rates are received by the majority of the indigenous populations.
§ Mr. ProfumoNo, Sir. Families in need of assistance are the concern of the respective Governments, but the form and extent of such assistance must be decided in the light of local circumstances.
§ Mr. SwinglerIn view of the fact that in this country we have adopted a system of family allowances, and in view of the enthusiasm of the Secretary of State for upholding parental responsibility, does not the Under-Secretary think something should be done to give assistance to families in the Colonies and to foster a system of family allowances such as we have here?
§ Mr. ProfumoThe hon. Member should remember that family allowances were introduced here at a late stage in the development of our economy and of our system of social security. It seems to me that the first aim should be to raise basic wage levels so that they are sufficient to support a man and his family as soon as he is fully employed as a wage earner.
§ Mr. TilneyWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that when the French introduced family allowances in Dahomey, somewhat retrospectively, one of the civil servants obtained more than £1,000 in one payment because of the immense numbers of his children?
§ 30. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonial and Trust Territories schemes of family allowances have been introduced.
§ Mr. ProfumoIn none.