HC Deb 23 May 1946 vol 423 cc673-4
Mr. Lindgren

I beg to move, in page 16, line 14, at the end, to insert: (5) A woman certified in accordance with subsection (1) of this section to have been confined of twins or a greater number of children shall, if the other conditions for payment of a maternity grant are satisfied in respect of the confinement, be entitled to a maternity grant for each of them. This Amendment arises from a discussion in the Standing Committee, in which the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) put before the Committee the case on behalf of the mother who gives birth to more than one child. He felt that a mother with twins should get double payment, and the mother of triplets treble payment, and we make provision for such payments accordingly.

10.30 p.m.

Mr. R. A. Butler

We should like to express our gratitude, on behalf of the triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets, for the passing of this Amendment. I feel that this Amendment achieves justice at last for these future members of our population. Are we to understand that the greater the number of children, the greater the number of grants paid, that there is no limit to the size of the litter, if I may use that expression, in respect of which a grant can be paid under this wise Amendment? If so, I shall regard the Minister as even more far-sighted than I had imagined.

Mr. Lindgren

I am not quite certain whether it is the sky or the stork that is the limit.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Lindgren

I beg to move, in page 16, line 14, at the end, to insert: (5) Regulations may modify the provisions of this section so far as they relate to a maternity grant with a view to making the grant payable, if the woman's claim indicates that she so desires, by virtue of a certificate that it is to be expected that she will be confined, instead of by virtue of a certificate that she has been confined. This Amendment arises from the case put in Committee that the maternity benefit should be payable before confinement, in order to enable the potential mother to meet the cost of articles necessary for the confinement. That point has been met by this Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.