HC Deb 15 December 1980 vol 996 cc37-8W
Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families he estimates would not have the right to opt for weekly child benefit payments under the proposals contained in Cmnd. 8106.

Mrs. Chalker

Approximately 6 million out of a total of 7¼ million people receiving child benefit.

Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide the same information about frequency of child benefits contained in his answer of 5 December, Official Report, c. 402–3, expressed as proportions of child benefit encashment.

Mrs. Chalker

I regret that this information is not available.

Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of families who will not be given the right to opt for weekly child benefit payments under the proposals contained in Cmnd. 8106 cash their child benefit (a) every week, (b) every two weeks, (c) every three weeks and (d) every four weeks or more.

Mrs. Chalker

Excluding families with four or more children, those receiving child benefit (increase), family income supplement and supplementary benefit, the estimated proportions in June 1980 were (a) 37 per cent., (b) 21 per cent., (c) 10 per cent. and (d) 32 per cent.