§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, under the proposed arrangements for paying child benefit four-weekly, mothers already in receipt of child benefit who do not initially opt for weekly payments will have the right to opt for weekly payments at some later date if there is a change of circumstances or they find that they cannot cope with four-weekly payments.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMothers already in receipt of child benefit who do not initially opt for weekly payment, will be able to do so in the six months after the switch to four-weekly payment. Subsequently any mother on four-weekly payment whose circumstances change so that she becomes a lone parent or in receipt of supplementary benefit or family income supplement will be able to switch to weekly payment of child benefit. As my right hon. Friend explained to the House on 12 May, we are also considering the provision to be made for dealing with any cases of hardship that may arise from four-weekly payment.—[Vol. 4, cols. 617–627].