HC Deb 02 May 1966 vol 727 cc1215-6
14. Mr. Mapp

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will arrange for a survey of the circumstances of families with a view to finding out more about their problems; and how many of them are actually living below the standard set by the National Assistance Board.

Miss Herbison

Yes, Sir. I am arranging for some of my officers to visit in June a representative sample of about 2,750 families receiving family allowances. They will ask about the families' circumstances and I hope that when the answers have been analysed I shall have much useful information, in particular about how many are living below the standard to which my hon. Friend refers.

Mr. Mapp

I am sure that both sides of the House, as well as many social workers, will welcome that announcement. Will the approach be widely drawn regionally, having regard to the imbalance of prosperity over the country? In particular, will the research have regard to very large families? Finally, how long will it take? We ought to be applying the remedy, rather than conducting research, by the time the autumn comes. May I press——

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think that supplementary question has gone on long enough.

Miss Herbison

I can assure my hon. Friend that this work will be carried out as urgently as possible after the visits are made in June of this year. Families in which there are a large number of children will certainly be visited. The survey will be spread over the country.

Sir K. Joseph

Is the Minister aware that we on this side of the House think that this is one of the most urgent social needs that the country faces? Is there not in her opinion enough information already available, particularly from social workers and from the Department of her right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, to enable some helpful actions to be taken during the summer months, even though perhaps the full Government policy must await the autumn?

Miss Herbison

No; I am afraid that we have not got all the information that we need on which to base proper fundamental action. This is why we are treating this matter urgently.