asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the £2 earnings disregard for supplementary benefits was fixed; how much it has declined since then in relation to national average earnings; and if he will now raise it in line with the increase in national average earnings since that original date.

Since it was fixed in November 1966 the £2 earnings disregard has declined from 10 per cent. to 5 per cent. in relation to the average weekly earnings of male manual workers. We have no immediate plans for an increase.