§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the values, at constant current year prices, of child benefit, less the cost of school meals in November 1978 and in November of the current year.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information is given in column 3 of the following table for the standard rate of child benefit and in column 4 for the standard rate plus the child benefit increase paid for the first child in a one-parent family.
1 2 3 4 £ £ November 1978 … Benefit … … 3.00 5.00 Cost of school meals … … 1.25 1.25 Difference … … 1.75 3.75 Difference at November 1979 prices … … 2.05 4.40 November 1979 … Benefit … … 4.00 6.50 Cost of school meals … … 1.50 1.50 Difference … … 2.50 5.00