§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail in the Official Report the means by which the names of all first children are being collected for payment of the new child benefit which will come into force next April.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Department's records already contain sufficient information about first children in families now receiving family allowances to enable child benefit to be put into payment without a further claim. Families not now receiving family allowances will have to put in a claim. In the late summer claim forms will be available in post offices and a publicity campaign will begin.
§ Sir George Youngasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will lay before the House the legislation necessary to implement his statement on child benefit on 25th May.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe legislation for child benefit is already provided in the Child Benefit Act, 1975. As I said in my statement on 25th May we shall shortly be seeking an affirmative resolution for the regulation fixing the rates and other regulations, including the commencement Order, will be made soon.—[Vol. 912, c. 284–97.]