§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the total amount of family income supplement paid to Service men and their families during the last full financial year, and the expected cost to the defence bhdget in the current year.
§ Dr. GilbertThe payment of family income supplement within the United Kingdom is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Services. Family income supplement is not payable outside the United Kingdom, but the Ministry of Defence has arranged to make payments in lieu to Service men abroad who would, if resident in the United Kingdom, be entitled to the supplement. The cost to408W the Defence budget in the current year is about £6,000.