§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the savings in family income supplement, rent and rate rebates, free school meals and welfare milk if there were a national minimum wage of £25 per week for people over (a) 18 years of age and (b) 21 years of age and all male wage earners 501W (c) over 18 years of age and (d) over 21 years of age.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettInformation in the precise form sought is not available. However, if a national minimum wage of £25 a week for everyone over the age of 18 had been in operation in the financial year 1973–74 it is estimated that savings on family income supplement and welfare milk would have amounted to £10 million and £1.25 million respectively. It is regretted that comparable estimates in respect of rent and rate rebates and free school meals are not readily available and could only be ascertained at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.