§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services for how many children benefit is now being paid in (a) England, (b), Scotland and (c) Wales; what is the total cost in the present financial year; and how many of those in respect of which it is being paid are above the age of 18 years.
§ Mr. NewtonOn 15 February 1983, the latest date for which figures are available, child benefit was being paid for 12,736,350 children. The cost of child benefit in 1982–83 is estimated at £3,700 million.
Separate figures for England, Scotland and Wales and for children over 18 years of age are extracted once a year. The figures for 31 December 1982 will be available in about 6 months' time.