HC Deb 24 November 1981 vol 13 c370W
Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which regulations govern the claiming by an employed wife, whose husband is unemployed, of family income supplement; if he has any plans to revise the conditions of eligibility for family income supplement; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

Section 1(1) of the Family Income Supplements Act 1970 provides, in effect, that, where a married couple are claiming the supplement, it is the man who must be engaged, and normally engaged, in remunerative full-time work. An amendment is already on the statute book to pave the way for the introduction of equal treatment of men and women. The Government's intention to bring the amendment, which is contained in Section 7(1) of the Social Security Act 1980, into operation in November 1983 was confirmed during the passage of that Act.