§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has as to the level of child benefit or equivalent paid to the mother of one child in each other EC country.
§ Mr. BurtThe information is in the table.
Comparison of weekly rate of child benefit in EC Member States—For first child at age: £ 4 11 16 Belgium 9.39 12.66 14.65 Denmark 10.53 7.93 7.93 France1 Nil Nil Nil Germany 4.94 4.94 4.94 Greece2 0.76 0.76 0.76 Ireland 3.54 3.54 3.54 Italy3 — — — Luxembourg 7.69 9–57 1332 Netherlands 6.75 9.42 12.10 Portugal 2–78 2.78 2.78 Spain4 3–92 3.92 3.92 UK 9.65 9.65 9.65 Source: MISSOC 1992. The conversion to sterling has been calculated using the OECD averages of purchasing power parities during 1992. 1 Child benefit paid only for second and subsequent children. 2 Progressively reduced to £0.52 per week if gross family income is more than £6,796 per annum. 3 No specific amount; child benefit is means-tested. 4 No benefit if family income is more than £5,661 per annum.