HC Deb 20 July 1976 vol 915 cc455-6W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of families who receive more in family allowance than they pay out in income tax.

Mr. Orme

It is estimated that in December 1974 there were 590,000 families who received more in gross family allowances than they paid outin income tax. This estimate is based ona DHSS analysis of 1974 Family Expenditure Survey data, and is subject to sampling error. Where this relates to a head of family not in work, but normally in work, his tax position has been treated as when in work.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much of the present family allowance of £1.50 is subject to clawback; how much of SHIB is subject to clawback; and how Official Report those grants made by the Government since February 1974 towards reorganisation of secondary education in each local authority area, indicating the number of children undergoing secondary education in the area at the time of the grant.

Mr. Barry Jones

Resources were made available specifically for the reorganisation of secondary provision for the first time as part of the school building programme for 1976–77. The areas in Wales which will benefit, the capital authorisations involved and the number of children attending the secondary schools concerned are as follows:

much of the new child benefit will be subject to clawback.

Mr. Orme

Family allowances are subject to tax, and in addition there is a clawback reduction in personal tax allowances of £52 for each child attracting allowances. The same arrangements apply to child interim benefit and to child benefit as announced for. April 1977.