§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 16 January,Official Report, column 571, on child benefit, if, in the course of statutory consultation on the integration of one-parent benefit and child benefit, he will issue a draft timetable for the integration of those benefits. [13098]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellIt is expected that the consultation process will be completed in early April. Regulations, which will be subject to affirmative resolution, will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible after the end of the consultation process. Subject to parliamentary approval, the regulations will come into force in April 1997.