§ 44. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many parents have so far returned to his Department the cards opting for weekly or four-weekly child benefit payments; and what percentage has opted for the four-weekly system.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe issue of order books which include an option card has only just begun and will continue until March 1982. By 17 November, 1,016 option cards had been received from mothers wishing to continue with weekly payment of child benefit. At this stage it is not possible to say what percentage have opted for four-weekly payment. Mothers have a long period, a full six months after the expiry of the newly issued order book with the option card in it, during which they can opt for weekly payment.