§ 5. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he next proposes to increase family allowances.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Security (Mr. Paul Dean)I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to similar Questions on 2nd November, 1970.—[Vol. 805, c. 269–70.]
§ Mr. AshleyInstead of hiding behind his right hon. Friend's unsatisfactory reply, why does not the Minister frankly admit that the Conservative electoral promise of adequate family allowances has been broken and that the mystical £8 million spent on family income supplements by his right hon. Friend is peanuts compared with the millions of £s distributed to surtax payers? Will he give a straight answer to a straight question? Are the Government going to increase family allowances, or not?
§ Mr. DeanOn the contrary, the Govment have made a good start by introducing the family income supplement scheme and by announcing in the Budget substantial increases in child tax allowances. Neither of these rules out further changes in family allowances.