§ Mr. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of (a) increasing child benefit by £1 per child per week and (b) increasing child benefit by £3 per child per week in 1985–86, giving the gross and net full year costs.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe estimated full year cost of increasing child benefit by £1 a week in 1985–86 would be £640 million gross or £490 million net. The corresponding figures for a £3 a week increase would be £1,920 million and £1,470 million.