HC Deb 11 December 1979 vol 975 c594W
Mr, Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table comparing the levels of gross weekly earnings for each of the family types shown in the reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 6 March 1978, column 481, at which total income support in work, net earnings plus child benefit plus family income supplement, less net rent and rates, less work expenses, will equal total income support at 120 per cent. supplementary benefit levels plus free school meals and welfare milk for supplementary benefit claimants.

Mrs. Chalker

I regret that I could not justify the expense and the use of scarce staff resources which would be involved in supplying this information.

26. Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the net weekly spending power of a man earning £55 per week, receiving £2.80 in family income supplement and paying £8.99 in income tax and national insurance using the same assumption as contained in the answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 7 November, column 213.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the third line of entries in table 4of my reply to him on 7 November, except that, inadvertently, he has taken the total tax and national insurance contributions as £8.99 instead of £8.89.—[Vol. 973, c.213–220]. In that event, the net weekly spending power would be £53.24 instead of £53.34.