§ 41. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received on behalf of the 600,000-plus people who received no additional benefit from the child benefit scheme as they are receiving various forms of social security benefit; and if, in view of these representations, he will now take steps to bring these within the scheme.
§ Mr. DeakinsMy right hon. Friends and I have received about 350 representations, and just over 1,000 more have been dealt with at departmental level. Beneficiaries who gained no immediate advantage from their inclusion in the child benefit scheme last April will receive an increase in the total provision made for their children when social security benefits go up in November.