§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to leave
£ per week Net income (including FIS and free school meals) Weekly earnings Average 1977–78 April 1978 Families with three children where the children reside in the United Kingdom 40 51.30 54.65 80 70.05 71.40 120 96.45 97.80 Families with three children where the children reside abroad 40 40.00 38.10 80 68.43 64.50 120 94.83 90.90 The April 1978 figures do not take account of the changes in personal taxation announced today Notes 1. Net income is defined in the terms of the question and therefore does not take account of, for example, either national insurance contributions or rent and rates rebates to which some families would be entitled. 2. It has been assumed that two of the children are aged between 5 and 10 and the other aged between 11 and 16. 3. The countries in which children abroad are assumed to be resident exclude those which have reciprocal arrangements for child benefit. Similarly the children of United Kingdom servicemen and diplomats are excluded. 4. Family income supplement and school meal prices were increased during 1977–78. They have been averaged for the purpose of this answer.