§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will explain the circumstances under which a person who emigrates to Israel to join the Israeli Army, taking with him his wife and children, is eligible on his return to the United Kingdom to claim child benefit in respect of the first six months he was in Israel.
§ Mr. OrmeIf a family goes abroad permanently, child benefit ceases to be payable on leaving this country, and in the event of the return of the family to this country payment would not be made for the period abroad. Only if the absence was intended throughout to be temporary could benefit be paid for the first 26 weeks abroad.