asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many divorced mothers claim child special allowance; what is his estimate of the number eligible to benefit; and what plans he has to improve the take-up rate of this allowance.

In 1978 there were 269 claims for child's special allowance, and 784 awards were in payment as at 31 December 1978. I am not aware of any problem about the rate of take-up but if my hon. Friend has any information on this point, perhaps he would write to me.