§ 3. Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider amending the Family Allowance Act to permit continuing payment of family allowance for a limited period in respect of children who have been sent to a List "D" school or other establishment from a children's hearing.
§ Mr. DeanNo, Sir. A child who is sent to a List "D" school or otherwise committed to care is legally removed from parental control. This is the natural point at which to stop counting the child in the family for allowances purposes.
§ Mr. EwingDoes not the Minister agree that this is a punitive measure? When the Act was introduced, was not the emphasis to be placed on treatment rather than punishment, and on what grounds does the Minister justify continuing the punishment aspect? Will he say why, when the eldest child of a family of two, three or more children gets into trouble, the family allowance is stopped for other children further down the age list on the basis that the eldest child is the qualifying child for family allowances for the other children?
§ Mr. DeanI do not accept what the hon. Gentleman has said, nor that this 205 measure is punitive. Family allowances are available to help families with the cost of bringing up their children. In these cases that cost has been entirely removed from the parents.