§ 24. Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many individual representations he has received concerning the payment of family allowances to mothers notwithstanding tax credits.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Paul Dean)In all about 1,100 representations have been received by my Department or by the Interdepartmental Tax-Credit Study Group advocating the continuation of payments to mothers.
§ Mr. RoseIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable concern about this matter, notwithstanding the statement of his right hon. Friend the Chancellor which suggested that the payments would apply only to existing family allowances? Is he aware that, in view of the need for an immediate increase in family allowances generally, that principle should be extended to any increase and that the Government should give an undertaking that at no time will they change the current system of giving the family allowance directly to the mother?
§ Mr. DeanThere is no reason for concern on this matter. The Chancellor made it absolutely clear in his Budget Statement that the Government will not adopt any solution which means that mothers in receipt of family allowances will suffer a loss of income through the introduction of tax credits. That is entirely clear.