§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the size of the child additions to(a) short-term and (b) long-term national insurance benefits in 1978–79 and currently; and if he will express changes in percentage terms.
§ Mr. PortilloThe following table sets out the rates of child dependency additions and the percentage changes 353W since April 1978. The additions payable with short-term benefits were abolished with effect from 26 November 1984.
Long-term benefits Short-term benefits Rate (£) Index Rate (£) Index April 1978 6.10 100 2.20 100 November 1978 6.35 104 1.85 84 April 1979 5.35 88 0.85 39 November 1979 7.10 116 1.70 77 November 1980 7.50 123 1.25 67 November 1981 7.70 126 0.80 36 November 1982 7.95 130 0.30 14 November 1983 7.60 125 0.15 7 November 1984 7.65 125 — — November 1985 8.05 132 — — July 1986 8.05 132 — — April 1987 8.05 132 — — April 1988 8.40 138 — —