asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of families in Brighton and Leicester, respectively, who will be entitled to receive family credit; and how many of them will be entitled to continue receiving free school meals.

I regret that it is not possible to make an estimate on such a localised basis. Overall, family credit is expected to reach about double the number of families now helped by family income supplement. Families receiving family credit will not be entitled to free school meals, but the rates will be set at a higher level so as to give extra cash help instead.