HC Deb 20 February 1975 vol 886 cc505-7W
Mr. Sims

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many adoption orders were made in England and Wales in each of the years 1972, 1973 and 1974; and how many orders were made in each year by the High Court, the county courts and juvenile courts, respectively.

Dr. Owen

The figures are as follows:

following table. On the assumption that all the benefits would be instantaneously reassessed, though in practice this would not happen, the precentage increase needed to raise the net weekly spending power by 20 per cent. today is as set out in the third column of the table.

The explanations given in my replies to the hon. Member on 28th January—[Vol. 885, c. 95–96.]—and 5th February—[Vol. 885, c. 567.]—concerning the seriously misleading nature of the figures in those replies for the necessary percentage rise in earnings are also relevant to this table.

Earnings Net weekly spending power Percentage rise in earnings needed to increase net weekly spending power by 20 per cent.
£ £
40 30.31 34
50 34.11 22
60 40.26 20
100 66.98 21
200 120.12 31

Notes:

1. The definition of net weekly spending is that given in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 28th January.

2. Rent: £5.00; Rates: £1.60; Expenses to work: £0.65.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what increase in her net weekly spending power, defined as in the reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 5th February 1975, column 567, a man with a wife and four children would receive if his gross weekly wage of £30 were to be increased by 20 per cent.

Mr. O'Malley

On the assumptions mentioned, a married man earning £30 a week gross and with four children aged 4, 8, 10 and 12 would have net weekly spending power of £32.03. If his earnings were increased by 20 per cent. his net weekly spending power would be £31.22—a decrease of about 2½ per cent.; this is on the assumption that benefits and income tax were adjusted instantaneously, though in practice this would not happen. The explanation given in my replies to the hon. Member's previous Questions on 5th February and 18th February about the misleading nature of his assumptions and the figures resulting from them applies equally to this Question.

Notes:

Rent £5.00; rates £1.60; expenses of work £0.65.