§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current annual cost to public funds of (a) family allowances, and (b) maternity benefits, respectively.
§ Mr. OrmeThe estimated cost in 1977–78 of maternity benefits is £83 million. Estimated expenditure on child benefit—which replaced family allowances from April 1977—is £889 million, but the net cost to public funds after taking into account the effect of the reduction in child tax allowances and the effect on social security payments will be about £630 million.