§ Mr. Thorpeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will consider increasing the flat rate for earnings for part-time workers to £4 per week instead of the present £3 and £6 per week for full-time workers instead of £5.
§ Mr. O'Malley:I assume that the right hon. Gentleman has in mind the amounts of earnings that can be disregarded in assessing entitlement to supplementary benefit. These are at present £1 a week in the case of persons required to register for work and £2 a week for others. Under the Social Security Benefits Act these amounts are to be increased later this year to £2 and £4 respectively.