Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewingasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what he estimates the net cost would be if family allowances were paid not till the fixed age of 16 years, but until the child ceased whole-time schooling, making allowance for the fact that there would be a reduction in cost for those children who started work at 15 years of age.
§ Mr. PeakeAt present, family allowances continue for a child under full-time instruction up to 1st August following the 16th birthday. To substitute the 18th birthday would add about £1¼ million to the cost. There would be no such saving as the hon. Member suggests, as the allowance already ceases if the child leaves school on attaining the upper limit of the compulsory school age.