asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is intended to introduce a means test for children's allowances.

I have no plans at the present time for the introduction of a means test by my Department as a condition of entitlement to children's allowances.

Can we take it that the statement made by the leader of the Labour Party was not factual and that he was only speaking for himself?

He was thinking aloud.

The leader of the Labour Party expressed views and I personally support the views of my leader in that regard. I assure the Deputy that as a recipient of children's allowance to the tune of £250 a year, tax free, I see no reason why I should not hand back something to the State.

Can I take it that when the Minister says at present he has no plans that there will not be an introduction of a means test for children's allowances in the budget of 1984?

We cannot anticipate the budget at Question Time.

My Department, as the Deputy is aware are incapable of operating a means test. It could not operate through the Department of Social Welfare.

Could I ask the Minister to confirm something which he said in the House yesterday, which is in relation to children's allowances?

It may be, but is it on this particular question?

Yes, it is. I understood him to say in the House yesterday, and I ask him to confirm it now, that while there may not be a means test for children's allowances, he would favour the introduction of some form of test. Did I understand the Minister to say that yesterday?

What test?

Some form of taxation system on children's allowances. I understood the Minister to say that in the House yesterday.

Any such matter is the prerogative of the Minister for Finance.

Arising out of the Minister's reply when he said it would not be the prerogative of the Department of Social Welfare to implement such a means test, nor would they be able to do so, would he agree that he appears to be passing the buck to the Minister for Finance? I am asking for a clear indication that the Coalition Government do not intend to touch the system of children's allowances payable to the woman in the home which presently appertains.

That is argument, however sweetly put. Question No. 11.

Are we to take it that the Minister is in favour of removing the children's allowances from certain categories of people — we do not mind if he removes it from Ministers — in the middle income group? This was the suggestion which his leader made and which he says he endorses. It is a very serious statement and I am asking the Minister to clarify that.

I have been trying to explain that each question does not afford a platform for a policy debate on the subject of the question. It would lead to absurdity or to a cross-examination.

This was a point the Minister made in reply to a question about the means test. He said he had no intention of introducing a means test but he was personally in favour of removing children's allowances from certain categories of people. It is only reasonable that he should explain further, because that is a very serious suggestion by the Minister and people would want to know what his view is.

The question is on the Order Paper about whether it is intended to introduce a means test for children's allowances and the Chair is clear that that question is answered. Other hares are being raised and are being chased. That makes a mockery of Question Time.

I do not accept that the question has been answered. That is a broad question asking if the Minister intends to introduce a means test for children's allowances, and the answer is, not at the present time.

If the Deputy was here several years ago that question would have been answered by yes or no and that would have been that.

Unfortunately it was not answered by yes or no.

That is the way it would have been answered.

There is ambiguity.

We would like to know what the Minister's policy is. Surely the point of putting down a question is to find out what the Minister's policy is.

I have discretion on whether I will allow any more supplementary questions. I am not allowing any more on this. Question No. 11.

The Minister does not know——

We must move on to the next question.

11.