§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are currently claiming family income supplement; and what is the total cost.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerI assume that the hon. and learned Gentleman has in mind the number of families receiving family income supplement. There were 100,000 such families on 27 January 1981, the latest date for which figures are available. The total cost of FIS in the financial year concerned, that is 1980–81, is not yet known but it has been estimated at £45 million.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department has any evidence to show that when employees are claiming family income supplement employers tend to hold wages down.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNo.