HC Deb 22 November 1977 vol 939 c651W
20. Mrs. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will extend the payment of the £10 Christmas bonus to families with children dependent on national insurance and supplementary benefits.

Mr. Orme

the Pensioners Payments Bill, which was before the House last week, provides for the payment of the bonus to large numbers of families with children—for example, where a member of the family is entitled to widow's benefit, invalidity pension and unemployability supplement. As I explained to the House during the Committee stage of the Bill on 17th November—[Vol. 939, c. 905–936.]—administration difficulties preclude an extension of the categories entitled to the bonus.

63. Mr. Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he intends to make payment of the Christmas bonus a regular annual event.

Mr. Orme

We have no plans to do so.