§ 22. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make provision in the Child Benefit Scheme for an annual review of child benefit by an amendment to the Child Benefit Scheme.
§ Mr. MeacherThere is already provision in the Child Benefit Act for the rate of child benefit to be reviewed each year.
§ 56. Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost to date of advertising the interim child benefit; how many people have applied; and how many applications have been approved.
§ Mr. MeacherThe cost to date of the advertising programme, which commenced on 12th January, is about £35,000. Up to 20th January, 25,000 claims had been received; most of these claims had still to be decided, but 3,000 had been approved by then.