HL Deb 01 August 1978 vol 395 cc1276-7WA
Lord GARDINER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to receive the report of the Data Protection Committee and how soon thereafter they will publish it.

The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Harris of Greenwich)

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has today received the report, for which he is most grateful to Sir Norman Lindop and the other members of the Committee. He is arranging for it to be published during the Recess.

Rates of family allowances, or equivalent cash benefits, expressed in pounds sterling, payable monthly in each of the EEC Member States at 1st January 1978 (see Note 1).

Belgium (See Note 2) £ Denmark (See Note 3) £ France (See Note 4) £ Germany £ Republic of Ireland £ Italy £ Luxembourg (See Note 5) £ Netherlands (See Note 6) £ UK (See Note 7) £
1st child 22.46 13.36 12.42 2.30 5.92 17.99 12.60 4.33
2nd child 35.64 13.36 20.94 19.88 4.10 5.92 17.99 25.61 6.50
3rd child 48.81 13.36 34.60 37.27 4.85 5.92 46.48 25.61 6.50
4th child 49.78 13.36 33.69 37.27 4.85 5.92 46.48 34.21 6.50
5th child 50.14 13.36 31.86 37.27 4.85 5.92 46.48 34.21 6.50
6th child 50.14 13.36 31.86 37.27 4.85 5.92 46.48 37.85 6.50
7th child 50.14 13.36 31.86 37.27 4.85 5.92 46.48 37.85 6.50
8th child and each other 50.14 13.36 31.86 37.27 4.85 5.92 46.48 41.85 6.50
Notes:
1. The sterling equivalents have been obtained by applying the exchange rates on 1st January 1978. A meaningful comparison of allowances cannot be made without taking into account the local cost of living (especially that affecting the maintenance of children) and other factors which vary from country to country, such as general wage levels, taxation, and the extent to which other provision is made through post-natal welfare and advice services. Fluctuating exchange rates also distort comparisons.
2. Additional allowances of up to £12.00 are payable for each child aged 6 or more according to age.
3. Higher rates are payable for children of pensioners or of single parents.
4. Additional allowances of up to £14.57 are payable for each child other than the first, if there are children aged 10 or over, according to age. Also additional allowances are payable for families with 3 or more children, or with one child under age 3.
5. Additional allowances are payable for each child over 6 years of age.
6. Double or treble allowances can be paid if a student, an apprentice or a disabled person is substantially maintained by his parents.
7. An additional allowance of £2.17 is payable for the first child of a lone parent.

It is understood that the following increases had occurred in other Member States by April 1978:

Denmark: To £13.62 monthly for each child.
Luxembourg: To £18.44 for each of the first two children and to £47.48 for each other child.