Marriage and Dependants' Allowances (Hansard, 26 November 1968)

§ 26. Mr. John Page
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation so that marriage and dependants' allowances are only allowable in respect of persons living in the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Harold Lever
I shall consider the hon. Member's suggestion, but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

§ Mr. Page
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the loss by fraudulent claims of between£5 million and£7 million a year is intolerable and that quick action is demanded by the public?

§ Mr. Lever
My right hon. Friend will certainly take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said.

§ Sir Harmar Nicholls
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can you give some protection to hon. Members? Are not these early days for the House to be fobbed off with conventional statements about anticipation of the Budget?

§ Mr. Speaker
I have no power to make Ministers answer in the way the hon. Gentleman would wish them to answer.

§ Sir Knox Cunningham
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Do we understand that this is the January Budget that we are talking about?

§ Mr. Speaker
That is not a point of order.

§ Mr. John Page
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.