HC Deb 09 November 1979 vol 973 cc379-80W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the total number of families eligible for the family income supplement (a) prior to the new regulations and (b) post-13 November.

Mrs Chalker

I regret that information is not available in the form requested. The hon. Member may, however, find it helpful to know that in July 1979—the latest month for which figures are available—there were estimated to be 75,590 families in receipt of family income supplement—FIS. Following the uprating on 13 November, the number of families on FIS is forecast to rise to a peak of 92,000.