§ 41. Miss Eleanor Rathboneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can estimate approximately the percent age of the population already covered, if entitled to it, by some form of family allowance in the form of Income Tax rebates for dependent children or allowances directly paid for such children to members of the Armed Forces, civilian widows and orphans, unemployed per sons, destitute persons in receipt of some form of public assistance, and child evacuees, giving, separately, the figures for each of these classes so far as they are available or can be given in the public interest?
§ Sir K. WoodI am not sure whether my hon. Friend has in mind persons already in receipt of allowance or persons who might become entitled to them. I am communicating with her, and I will provide such information as I have available.
§ Miss RathboneWill the Chancellor confirm this general statement? Am I right in believing that the form of allowance notified in the Question already covers the whole population except employed or semi-employed persons earning less than £3 10s. a week, those being the persons who most need assistance for their dependent children?
§ Sir K. WoodI should like to consider that question, and perhaps the hon. Lady will be good enough to put it on the Order Paper.