§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would be(a) the first year and (b) the full year costs of raising child benefit to £9.55 (i) for 1991–92 and (ii) 1992–93, including increases in linked means-tested and national insurance benefits, for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyThe rates of child benefit from April 1991 were £8.25 for the eldest eligible child and £7.25 for each other child and were increased to £9.25 and £7.50 respectively from October 1991. The estimated gross cost of increasing child benefit from those rates to £9.55 for each child throughout 1991–92 would be about £36 million. If the October 1991 rates had applied throughout 1991–92, the cost would reduce to around £29 million. The gross full year costs in 1992–93 of paying £9.55 for all children, instead of the rates of £9.65 and £7.80 which will be in payment from April 1992, would be about £21 million.