§ Mr. Snowasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that the disabled parent of a young person who has attained the age of 18 years during the 12 months preceding the operative date of the Family Allowances and National Insurance Act, and who is continuing in education but whose maintenance and tuition fees granted by the local education authority are inadequate to provide reasonable 207W amenities for the young person loses the £1 per week sickness benefit dependants' allowance and if he will take steps to rectify this situation.
§ Mrs. ThatcherFrom 30th March, when the changes made by the Family Allowances and National Insurance Act, 1964, will come into operation, dependency benefit will be payable for children over 18 but under 19 who are continuing their education. If a child has by then passed the present age limit of 18, but it still under 19, the benefit will be brought back into payment but not, retrospectively. It is not practicable to give effect to this change from an earlier date for the reasons my right hon. Friend gave to the House on 30th January.