§ 32. Mr. Barnesasked the Minister of Social Security whether she will take into account the level of rent payable by low-income families in arriving at her new proposals for family allowances.
§ 51. Miss Pikeasked the Minister of Social Security, when the Government intend to announce their new proposals for family allowances.
§ Miss HerbisonI would ask the hon. Members to await the statement which we have promised to make before the Summer Recess.
§ Mr. BarnesWould not my right hon. Friend agree that in London, at least, the level of rents that families have to pay is often the main cause of child poverty where it exists? Would she not also agree that a solution that does not take this factor into account will be disappointing to many families in private rented accommodation?
§ Miss HerbisonNot only in London but in some other parts of the country there is this difficulty. Again I would ask my hon. Friend to await an announcement.
§ Miss PikeDoes the Ministers' reply mean that we may expect a statement of some sort this week, or at least within, say, the next 10 days? To revert to the rent problem, will the right hon. Lady read the speech of my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-East (Sir K. Joseph), and take into consideration the very realistic proposals he puts forward in that policy declaration on rents?
§ Miss HerbisonIt is rather a pity that when the right hon. Member for Leeds, North-East (Sir K. Joseph) played such an important part in the Tory Administration he did not have those wonderful ideas. I made it perfectly clear some time ago, as has the Prime Minister, that a statement will be made before the Summer Recess. We stick to that announcement.
§ Mr. DeanCan the Minister go a little further and say either "Yes" or "No" to one simple question: will the proposals she intends to bring forward be in the Bill to which she has just referred?
§ Miss HerbisonI would ask the hon. Gentleman to await the Bill.