§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many widows claimed the child's special allowance for the last three years for which this information is available; and if he will give the estimated take-up rate of this benefit.
§ Mr. MajorChild's special allowance is payable to divorced women in respect of children towards whose support the ex-husband was contributing or was liable to contribute at the time of his death. In the three years immediately preceding 6 April 1987 when the allowance was abolished, except for existing beneficiaries, the number of claims received was:348W
Number 1984–85 135 1985–86 152 1986–87 146 Given the conditions for entitlement to the allowance it has not been possible to estimate a take-up rate.