asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the rate of supplementary benefit for a married couple with three children and unrebated rent and rates of £8 and £2 per week, respectively, compares with the net income after tax and national insurance and the addition of child benefit, family income supplement and free school meals, where eligible, of a man in similar family circumstances earning 100 per cent., 75 per cent. and 50 per cent. of average earnings, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures five and 10 years ago.

I am afraid it will be some time before I can let my hon. Friend have a reply based on the rates of benefit which have just come into effect, because information on current earnings will not be available until the new year.