asked the Minister of National Insurance the annual cost of increasing family allowance by 2s. 6d. per week; and if he will increase the family allowances by this amount, in view of the rise in the cost of living resulting from the recent import cuts.

The answer to the first part of the Question is about £31 million a year, and to the second part of the Question, "No."

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will take steps to amend the Family Allowances Act, 1945, and subsequent regulations, so as to provide for the continued payment of allowances to children who are certified mentally backward until they are 16 years of age, who cannot satisfy the school-attendance provision because of the absence of suitable school accommodation to accommodate them.

I can assure the hon. Member that the position of children who are physically or mentally handicapped and unable to attend school will be further considered in any future review of the family allowances scheme. I cannot undertake to promote legislation specially for this purpose, but the point has been noted for consideration at a suitable opportunity.