§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will direct the expression child allowance to be used in place of child benefit in all official usage.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardWe have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a further statement on the reasons for having a child benefit scheme.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe reasons for having a child benefit scheme were clearly set out in the Prime Minister's80W reply to my hon. Friend on 17 March 1981 at column 55 when she said that it has long been the view of all parties that our tax and benefit systems should recognise the needs of families with children, and should differentiate between such families and those without responsibilities for children. Child tax allowances achieved this but gave no help to families below the tax threshold. Family allowances did not recognise the first child. Child benefit, which replaced both allowances, was introduced in 1977 with the support of all parties.