HC Deb 14 June 1977 vol 933 cc106-7W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give a detailed list of persons resident in the United Kingdom who are claiming supplementary and other welfare payments for their wives and dependants not resident in the United Kingdom; and what action is taken to ensure that these dependants really exist and that payments made are actually used for the maintenance and upkeep of the dependants for whom the claim is made.

Mr. Orme

Supplementary benefits and other related welfare benefits are not payable in respect of wives and dependants who are not resident in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether social security payments for any number of children born in or out of wedlock can be claimed by a man with more than one wife even where there is no birth certificate or other documentary evidence of the children being the offspring of the claimant; and, when these children are domiciled in countries other than Great Britain, what steps are taken to ensure that the children are actually in existence and being maintained by the claimant who receives benefits.

Mr. Orme

Entitlement to increases of national insurance benefit for children is linked to payment of child benefit, and evidence of birth is always required before that is awarded. Generally any person— not necessarily a parent—who has a child living with him or who supports a child living elsewhere can claim child benefit for it, but child benefit is not normally payable in respect of a child living abroad. Where a man lives with his wife, or wives, but their marriage is not recognised in the United Kingdom, and there is entitlement to child benefit, he can claim an increase of national insurance benefit for her child or children, if either he is also a parent or he is meeting the major cost of maintaining the child, or children, in his own home. Increases of benefit are not payable for children resident abroad except where the EEC regulations on social security for migrant workers or the terms of a bilateral reciprocal agreement on social security provide for this. When local inquiries are necessary they are carried out by the social security authority of the country concerned. Supplementary benefit is payable for any child who lives as a member of a claimant's household and for whose requirements the claimant must provide.