§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services at what level of 557W gross weekly earnings a married man with four children of 12, 13, 14 and 15 years of age and without unearned income would cease to have a greater net disposable weekly income by drawing short-term national insurance benefits than by working.
§ Mr. MeacherIt is not possible to answer this Question precisely without making a number of assumptions about rent, rates, previous employment, earnings in previous years, unavoidable expenses of employment and the time of year at which unemployment commences. However, taking into account family allowances and family income supplement and assuming income tax deductions on the basis of no tax allowances other than personal allowances and that earnings have increased by 25 per cent. since the tax year taken into account for unemployment benefit purposes, the amount in question would be between £25 and £30 a week.