§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the total saving in 167W expenditure if child allowance were to be paid at full rate to those parents whose income is less than two-thirds the national average wage and at half rate to those parents whose income is between two-thirds the national average wage and the national average wage and no payment was paid to those parents whose income is above the national average wage.
168W
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 19 March 1984, c. 379]: It is estimated that, at current benefit levels, the total savings would be of the order of £2–£2.5 billion. The administrative costs of such a change would be substantial.