asked the Minister for Health the cost to the Exchequer in the current financial year of (a) the increase in respect of infectious diseases allowances, and (b) the increase in disablement allowances.

The estimated cost to the Exchequer in the case of (a) is £9,000 and in the case of (b) £150,000.

74.

asked the Minister for Health (a) the estimated number of persons who will get an increase of 10/- in the infectious diseases maintenance allowance, and (b) the estimated number of disabled persons who will get the increase of 10/- a week on their allowance.

While the returns from health authorities of recipients of infectious diseases maintenance allowances do not distinguish between single persons, for whom the increase will be 5/- per week, and married or other persons with an adult dependant, for whom the increase will be 10/- per week, it is estimated that about 600 persons will qualify for the 10/- increase.

As regards the increased disabled persons allowance, the number of beneficiaries is estimated at 17,000 approximately.