§ The Prime MinisterI am making a series of visits to all parts of the country, and very much hope to include Nottingham among them.
§ Mr. AllenThe right hon. Gentleman will be very welcome. When he comes, will he make a point of meeting mothers and children who have been robbed of £2.30 per week by the Government's failure to link child benefit to inflation? Arising from the deceitful words in the Conservative manifesto, which said
Child benefit will continue to be paid as now",will the Prime Minister, first, answer a question— something he has not done so far today—and, secondly, will he tell the House, and mothers at home— [Interruption] May I continue, Mr. Speaker?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman is making rather a meal of it.
§ Mr. AllenWill the Prime Minister tell mothers at home of his own complicity in the drafting of those very words in the 1987 manifesto—words which cheated mothers and their children?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman knows, the Government have an obligation to review child benefit annually, and do so. On each occasion that child benefit has not been fully uprated, those on the lowest incomes have been fully compensated or more through other social security benefits.