§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the net cost, on the basis that child tax allowances were abolished, of providing, respectively, taxed and tax-free family allowances for all children including the first at the rate of£2 per week for children under 11 years of age,£2.50 for children 11–14 years of age, and£3 for children of 15 years of age or over who are in full-time education.
§ Sir K. JosephThere would be a net saving of about£10 million in 1972–73 if the family allowances at the proposed rates were taxed. The net cost of tax free family allowances at these rates would be approximately£420 million.