asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the net weekly value of the child tax allowances for a family with one child under 11 years of age, a family with two children under 11 years of age, and a family with three children under 11 years of age, in each case where the head of the family pays tax at the standard rate; and if she will set out the net weekly value of the proposed child benefits for these families at the suggested rate of £1·94 per week.

£1·61, £3·85 and £6·09. At a child benefit rate of £1·94 which has not been suggested but is purely illustrative the corresponding figures would be £1·94, £3·88 and £5·82.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services at what rate child benefits would have to be paid if a family with three children under 11 years of age paying tax at the standard rate were to be no worse off after losing family allowances and the child tax allowances.

A rate of £2·03 would be needed to ensure that no such family is worse off than at present.