§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Birmingham are currently waiting for National Health Service hearing aids; what is the average waiting time of those on the list; and how this compares with the situation 12 months ago.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisInformation about average waiting times is not collected, but the number of adults waiting for National Health Service hearing aids is710W and that the rent and rates figures are the liability before rebates.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the value of child benefit introduced in April 1977 of £2.34 each week or £2.50 each week for each child as compared with the present family allowance and the new 1976 Budget levels of child tax allowances for standard rate taxpayers with one, two, three or four children aged under 11 years if such tax allowances and family allowances were replaced completely by child benefits.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe information for two-parent families is as follows:
currently 1,186, compared with 2,940 in 1975. The number of adults fitted with hearing aids in Birmingham last month was 296. I am informed that there is no waiting list for children.