HC Deb 16 December 1980 vol 996 cc137-8
14. Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the present contribution conditions for the weekly maternity alllowance, in view of the length of time that elapses between the contribution year and the birth of the baby; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

The arrangement of contribution years and benefit years means that a particular tax year determines title to benefit for periods of interruption of employment commencing from nine months to 21 months after the tax year has ended.

I would not claim this as the ideal relationship between tax year and benefit year for short-term benefits. It does, however, represent a compromise between, on the one hand, the desirability of relating title to a recent contribution record and, on the other, the demands of economic administration and the need to allow sufficient time for contribution information to be linked to individuals' records.

Mr. Madel

Will my right hon. Friend consider making an alteration that would provide a fairer system whereby, provided that a woman has paid full contributions for two years before she stops work to have a baby, she should be able to receive full maternity allowance? Would that not be a fairer system and, in due course, easier to administer?

Mr. Prentice

The present arrangements have stood the test of time since 1975. I shall consider my hon. Friend's point.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

In order to impress upon the House the Government's determination to see open government, will my right hon. Friend agree to consider sympathetically the recommendations of a Select Committee report that is likely to be published in the near future? Will he urge the Secretary of State to bring forward a debate on this matter so that the issue, and the emotive issues that lie behind it, can be aired by the House and a favourable and fair position established?

Mr. Prentice

As the Select Committee report has not yet been produced, it might be premature to comment. I shall give it full attention when it appears.