§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of regular family income supplement payments in the north-west; and what proportion of the eligible population this represents.
§ Mr. MajorAt 29 October 1985, the latest date for which information is available, there were 36,000 families in receipt of family income supplement (FIS) in the north-western social security region, which covers Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and part of Derbyshire.
It is not possible to estimate what proportion of the eligible population in the area this represents but the estimate of take-up of FIS in Great Britain as a whole is about half.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to give extra publicity to the new levels of family income supplement, in view of the incorrect figure published in existing child benefit books.
§ Mr. MajorThe main purpose for including a slip in child benefit order books is to make recipients aware of the existence of family income supplement and one-parent benefit and to refer them to leaflets and posters which can be seen at post offices and local social security offices. Both the leaflets and posters on display do publicise the correct current rates of benefit. The outdated order book slips will be replaced by the end of this month with slips giving current rates. I regret that it was not possible to insert them in child benefit order books earlier.