§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that for Family Income Supplement purposes the benefit is paid, according to Circular F.I.S. 1, when the head of the household is working full time, and that means the man; and if he will seek to ensure that the benefit is paid to such low-income families when the woman alone is working full time, and where the man is unemployed or working part time.
§ Mr. DeanIn the case of a married couple living together, or a couple living as man and wife, the supplement is payable only if the man is in full-time work. My right hon. Friend has no proposals to amend the Family Income Supplements Act in this respect. A low-income family where the man is unemployed or working part-time would normally be eligible for supplementary benefit, provided the man registers for full-time work.