HC Deb 12 March 1973 vol 852 c271W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the practice of his Department, in administrative matters, regarding the definition of the term "Head of the household or an equivalent term; and what benefits or allowances are available when the requirements of that status are met.

Sir K. Joseph

As regards supplementary benefit, the Ministry of Social Security Act provides that, where a husband and wife are members of the same household their requirements and resources shall be aggregated and treated as the husband's. Any supplementary pension or allowance is, therefore, normally paid to him. Similarly the husband is regarded as "head of the household" for family income supplement purposes, and entitlement depends on whether he is in full-time work.