§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what circumstances Giro orders for social benefit claimants are sent by first-class mail.
§ Mr. DeakinsOur instructions provide generally for Giro orders for social
LEVEL OF FAMILY ALLOWANCES, OR EQUIVALENT CASH BENEFTTS, PAYABLE MONTHLY IN EACH OF THE EEC COUNTRIES, AS AT 1ST JANUARY 1976 Belgium (See Note 2) BFr. Denmark (See Note 3) Kr. France (See Note 4) Fr. 1st child … … 1,201.00 132.67 — 2nd child … … 1,905.75 132.67 148.85 3rd child … … 2,610.00 132.67 248.92 4th child … … 2,661.75 132.67 248.92 5th child … … 2,681.25 132.67 223.65 6th child … … 2,681.25 132.67 223.65 7th child … … 2,681.25 132.67 223.65 8th child and each other … … 2,681.25 132.67 223.65
Germany DM. Republic of Ireland £ Italy Lire 1st child … … 50 2.30 9,880 2nd child … … 70 3.60 9,880 3rd child … … 120 4.35 9,880 4th child … … 120 4.35 9,880 5th child … … 120 4.35 9,880 6th child … … 120 4.35 9,880 7th child … … 120 4.35 9,880 8th child and each other … … 120 4.35 9,880
Luxembourg (See Note 5) Netherlands (See Note 6) United Kingdom LFr. FL. £ 1st child … … 996 54.86 (See Note 7) 2nd child … … 996 96.20 6.50 3rd child … … 2,565 96.20 6.50 4th child … … 2,565 128.18 6.50 5th child … … 2,565 128.18 6.50 6th child … … 2,565 141.96 6.50 7th child … … 2,565 141.96 6.50 8th child and each other … … 2,565 157.04 6.50 Family allowances are not taxable in any of the EEC countries except the United Kingdom.
Notes:
(1) A meaningful comparison of allowances cannot be made without taking into account the local cost of living, especially that affecting the maintenance of children, and other factors which vary from country to country such as general wage levels, taxation and the extent to which other provision is made through free education, housing subsidies, medical care and ante.and post.natal welfare and advice services.
(2) Additional allowances of up to 641.50 BFr. are payable for each child aged 6 or more, according to age.
(3) Higher rates are payable for children of pensioners or of single parents.
(4) Additional allowances of up to 101.12 Fr. are payable for each child other than the first, if there are children aged 10 or over, according to age. Also additional allowances of up to 267.85 Fr. are payable for families with only one breadwinner.
(5) Additional allowances of 225 LFr. are payable for each child over 12 years of age.
(6) Double or treble allowances can be paid if a student, an apprentice or a disabled person is substantially maintained by his parents.
(7) Provision for the first child will be made from April 1977.
856Wsecurity benefit due to claimants within one calendar week to be sent by first class post in all cases.