To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would be (a) the first year and (b) the full-year cost of raising one-parent benefit and widowed mother's allowance by (i) £0·34 and (ii) £0·36 for (1) 1991–92 and (2) 1992–93, (x) including increases in means-tested benefits, and (y) without increases in means-tested benefits, in Northern Ireland.
The gross costs of increasing one-parent benefit, widowed mother's allowance and income-related benefit by these amounts for each week in 1991–92 and 1992–93 are given in the table. It is not possible to estimate what the costs would be without increases in income-related benefits.
| Benefit | Increase per week | 1991–92 £ | 1992–93 £ |
| One Parent Benefit | 34p | 468,000 | 488,000 |
| Widowed Mothers Allowance | 34p | 58,000 | 55,000 |
| One Parent Benefit | 36p | 496,000 | 517,000 |
| Widowed Mothers Allowance | 36p | 61,000 | 58,000 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would be (a) the first year and (b) the full year cost of raising one-parent benefit and widowed mother's allowance by 32p (i) for 1991–92 and (ii) 1992–93, (1) including increases in means-tested benefits and (2) without increases in means-tested benefits, in Northern Ireland.
[holding answer 16 December 1991]: The gross costs of increasing one-parent benefit, widowed mother's allowance and income-related benefits by this amount for each week in 1991–92 and 1992–93 are given in the table. It is not possible to estimate what the costs would be without increases in income-related benefits.
| Benefit | Increase | 1991–92 | 1992–93 |
| per week | £ | £ | |
| One Parent Benefit | 32p | 441,000 | 459,000 |
| Widowed Mothers Allowance | 32p | 54,000 | 52,000 |