§ Mr. Dorrellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the cost in a full year of the improvements in (a) family income supplement and (b) the housing benefit children's needs allowance announced recently; and what is the total net cost, allowing for the interaction between the two.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe estimated gross costs in 1986–87 of the uprating improvements from November 1985 are £14 million for family income supplement plus £12 million for the increase in housing benefit children's needs allowance. 303W The full year FIS cost of £ 17 million would not be reached until 1987–88. I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply to the last part of his question as soon as possible.