asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present unemployment pay for a married man with two children who was earning £50 per week; and what additional financial benefits he would be entitled to.

Entitlement to flat-rate unemployment benefit and earnings-related supplement depends on a person's previous work record and level of earnings in the relevant tax year. Assuming that he had been in continuous employment, a married man with a dependent wife and two dependent children whose current earnings were £50 a week would be likely to receive £29·20 in flat-rate unemployment benefit and £7·78 in earnings-related supplement, at current benefit rates, the supplement lasting for six months only.Child benefit of £6 week would also be payable, and there might, in addition, be entitlement to other, means-tested, benefits such as rent and/or rate rebates, free welfare milk and free school meals according to the particular circumstances of the family.