§ 66. Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a progress report on the introduction of the child benefit scheme.
§ 67. Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the remaining problems of implementing the child benefit scheme.
§ Mr. OrmeArrangements for the start of the child benefit scheme on 4th April 1977 are proceeding satisfactorily. Up to the end of February about 2.2 million claims to child benefit had been received from the estimated 2.8 million one-child families. Most families now receiving family allowances will already have books containing orders at the increased rate from April.