§ Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are being made for payment of child benefit to (a) citizens of the Republic of Ireland working in the United Kingdom in respect of children not living in the United Kingdom, (b) similarly placed workers fromy Cyprus and (c) those from India.
§ Mr. OrmeBroadly, child benefit, like family allowances, is paid for children resident in this country, including under EEC regulations children in the European Economic Community. Child benefit is therefore not payable for any children of a worker here remaining in Cyprus or India, but is generally payable for children remaining in the Republic of Ireland, being a member State covered by the EEC regulations.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Services what recent representations he has received from widowed mothers and other similar groups who are not gaining financially from the increased child benefit and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeMy right hon. Friend and I have received about 250 representations and about 1,400 other inquiries have been dealt with at departmental level. Widows, like other national insurance beneficiaries, received a substantial increase in their incomes last November.