HC Deb 26 July 1965 vol 717 cc4-5W
Mr. Mapp

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate is available of the number of family wage-earners whose earned income is below the current National Assistance Board scales, and of the number of children so involved.

Mr. Thornton

As my right hon. Friend explained in reply to Questions on 22nd February, the figures available are based on a very small sample and are subject to wide margins of error. The number of families seems to be between 150,000 and 250,000. The average number of children in these households is probably something over three.

My hon. Friend will remember that since his last Question the Board's scales have been raised.