asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what have been the net effects, taking into account social service charges and tax changes since June, 1970, on the £28 per week family with two children, the £15 per week family with three children and the £20 per week family with three children.

Some of the effects cannot readily be attributed to typical families in cash terms, notably the increased national insurance benefits paid in return for increased contributions and increased National Health Service charges where these are applicable, in this case only to the £28 a week family. Leaving these two items out of account, but including family income supplement, graduated national insurance contributions, and the changed arrangements for welfare milk and school meals, there would be in typical circumstances a net weekly gain of 37p, £3·50 and £1·44, respectively.