§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of increasing family allowances to £2 per child and extending them to the first child, both on the basis that clawback is preserved and that it is eliminated.
§ Mr. DeanIf other social security benefits were adjusted but the provisions under which part of the present family allowance is recouped by an adjustment of personal income tax allowances remained unaltered, the extra cost would be £1,045 million in 1972–73. If the clawback provisions were repealed, the cost would be £1,140 million. These figures do not take account of income tax paid on the increased family allowances, other than tax adjustments under the clawback provisions. If income tax paid on the increased family allowances is taken into account, the figures are £745 million and £840 million, respectively.