§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the public expenditure on advertising the family income supplement in each year since its introduction; and what has been the estimated level of take-up of the benefit in each year.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe expenditure on advertising was:
1971 £310,000 1972 £325,000 1973 £161,000 1974 £124,000 It is very difficult to produce any useful figures of take-up, because the number fluctuates from month to month and because estimates of the number entitled to the supplement are based on very small samples. Recent study of the problem suggests that in 1972 the take-up was about half, and in 1973 it was more than half. An estimate for 1974 is not yet available. No estimate can be made for the first months of the scheme in 1971.