§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the responses he has received to his consultative document on the payment of child benefit on a monthly basis; whether he has received from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West the copy of the Greater London citizens advice bureaux service entitled "Child Benefit Monthly"; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State—the right hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Jenkin)—on 12 May 1981—[Vol. 4, c. 617–18]. I have received a copy of the publication "Child Benefit Monthly". I have noted the results of the two small
Year Urgent Non-Urgent All cases Cases on list for over 1 month All cases Cases on list for over 1 year Total all cases 1976 37,737 23,394 550,527 150,595 588,264 1977 40,257 25,641 550,839 147,264 591,096 1978 44,118 29,147 584,243 158,308 628,361 1979 49,221 34,258 649,229 197,842 698,450 1980 41,727 28,062 594,154 187,993 635,881 1981 not yet available not yet available not yet available not yet available not yet available