HC Deb 24 January 1972 vol 829 cc344-5W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what evidence he based his revised estimates of the total number of households eligible for the family income supplement; and what was the sampling frame, size of survey and sampling fraction used to establish the revised figure.

Sir K. Joseph

The revised estimates of the numbers of families eligible for the family income supplement were based on the results of the Family Expenditure Survey for 1968–69–70, adjusted for the changed level of unemployment since these surveys were taken and in the light of the results of a survey of about 300 low-income families carried out by the O.P.C.S. in September, 1971.

A full description of the basis of the revised estimate will be published in due course.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now publish the results of the survey recently carried out of claimants of the family income supplement.

Sir K. Joseph

I am considering whether the results of this survey should be published.