§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services further to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South of 21 February that foreign nationals can be eligible for child benefit, how much was paid in respect of children of such foreign parents in the latest available 12-month period.
§ Mr. OrmeI regret that this information is not available. Families in this852W country who satisfy the usual residence conditions qualify for child benefit, irrespective of their nationality, unless the claimant or spouse is exempt from United Kingdom income tax. The child benefit claim form accordingly does not seek information about nationality, since this would be irrelevant to the determination of the claim.