32. Mrs. Whiteasked the Minister of National Insurance when he proposes to introduce legislation to alter the amount of, and the conditions relating to, maternity benefits.
§ Mr. PeakeI would refer the hon. Lady to the National Insurance Bill which I presented last Tuesday.
Mrs. WhiteCan the Minister explain why the period of gestation of this Bill has been unduly prolonged, and why, when the report on which it was based has been available for well over a year, the mothers of this country have had to take their place in the legislative queue behind the purely negative legislation of denationalising iron and steel and transport?
§ Mr. PeakeThe Question only asks when I propose to introduce legislation. The short answer is: I have already done so.