HC Deb 24 February 1976 vol 906 cc169-70
5. Mr. Durant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she will start the new level of supplementary disregard for one-parent families.

Mr. O'Malley

As soon as it is practicable to do so.

Mr. Durant

Is the Minister aware that 280,000 families are in urgent need and that it is time we had some positive news? Is not this a miserable concession, which will mean little in real cash terms?

Mr. O'Malley

The hon. Gentleman should read the newspapers. The organisations that represent the interests of lone parents welcome the change that is being made. The hon. Gentleman should bear in mind that principal legislation is necessary before this can be done.

Mrs. Hayman

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he is correct in saying that this is a welcome advance for families on supplementary benefit where the lone parent can work part-time? For other families, where the lone parent is not working full-time and is not benefiting from child interim benefit, will the Minister offer some long-term addition?

Mr. O'Malley

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for correcting the view expressed by the hon. Member for Reading, North (Mr. Durant). My hon. Friend will bear in mind that we have increased supplementary benefit scale rates pari passu with the equivalent national insurance rates. In that way the financial position of one-parent families has been fully protected against inflation.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

When the Minister read the newspaper to which he referred my hon. Friend, did he notice the comments of the National Council for One Parent Families, which said that the child interim benefit is causing widespread confusion, resentment and anger. Will he confirm that, as his departmental estimates make no provision for added expenditure on the new child benefit in April 1977, the anger is likely to get worse, and that all standard rate taxpayers with more than two children will be made increasingly worse off by the new arrangements?

Mr. O'Malley

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the child benefit scheme will come into operation. Arrangements are being made to bring it into operation in April 1977. The hon. Gentleman, even taking into account the party political battle which takes place in the House, should not impugn the good faith of Ministers or hon. Members, or their intentions on the subject.