§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much would be saved if child benefit were given in full up to £100 a week gross earnings, and phased out between £100 and £140 gross earnings for one child and £100 and £180 gross earnings for two children, if no payment were made for more than two children.
§ Mr. Nicholas ScottThe precise savings from such a measure would depend on the exact nature of the scheme adopted. However, assuming that families who lose child 733W benefit would be compensated, as appropriate, through income support and housing benefit, and also through family credit (via the addition of £7.25 per week to the child credits), the estimated net saving, in a full year at 1988–89 prices and benefit levels, would be of the order of £2.7 billion.