§ 67. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware of the public concern that the benefits of family allowances are not being received by persons in receipt of unemployment allowances, widows' pensions, and workmen's compensation; and whether he will make a statement on the position.
69 and 70. Mr. Amoryasked the Minister of National Insurance (1) whether he will take steps to remedy the existing situation under which a workman's compensation insurance allowance may be reduced in view of the receipt of a family allowance;
(2) whether he will take steps to remedy the existing situation under which certain supplementary pensions and allowances are reduced owing to the receipt of a family allowance, so as to ensure that the family allowance is an addition to the family income.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI recognise that there has been some disappointment among those in receipt of payments under one or other of the existing social services which already include additions for children because they have not continued to receive those additions over and above the new family allowances. It has, however, throughout, been made clear that so far as existing schemes of social provision for risks arising in civil life provided specifically for children, payments under the Family Allowances Act would be in substitution for or would be taken into account in determining the amount of the additions made for children under other schemes. The disappointment has arisen to a considerable extent from the fact that in the present transitional period improvements in one direction have been made in advance of others which will substantially benefit many of those now affected and will be brought in later under legislation already passed or to be passed. It is the Government's aim to build up the various schemes of social provision as a coordinated whole and the place of family allowances in them must be looked at in relation not only to existing schemes but also to schemes still to be brought into force under existing or contemplated legislation. Whilst I cannot at this stage88W make any commitment, I can say that the Government are examining the whole position from this point of view.
§ Mr. Garry Allighanasked the Minister of National Insurance what amount would be chargeable to public funds if no deductions were made in respect of family allowances, from pensions, unemployment benefit and other State payments.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIf provision were made in the new National Insurance and Industrial Injuries schemes for the payment of allowances for second and subsequent children at the rate of 5s. a week in addition to family allowances, and if family allowances were disregarded in assessing payments from Exchequer funds based on need, the additional direct charge on public funds would, it is estimated, be rather over £10 million a year.
§ Mr. Garry Allighanasked the Minister of National Insurance (1) the number of persons eligible for family allowances together with the number who have claimed and are receiving them;
(2) the total sum now being paid weekly to claimants of the family allowance.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIt was estimated that about 2,600,000 persons would be entitled to allowances for their children at the start of the scheme on 6th August. About 2,300,000 claims were received before that date and a further 200,000 have been received since then. Allowances have been awarded on about 2,280,000 claims; of the remainder some 70,000 have been rejected and 150,000 are in process of being decided. The total sum now being paid out by way of family allowances is rather more than £850,000 a week.