HL Deb 19 May 1981 vol 420 cc830-1

2.51 p.m.

Baroness Phillips

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review the method of paying maternity allowance so that working mothers receive their full entitlement.

Lord Cullen of Ashbourne

My Lords, my right honourable friend is obliged to make payment in accordance with the legal entitlement determined by the independent statutory authorities. If the noble Baroness knows of any claimants who have been paid less than their legal entitlement their cases will be investigated.

Baroness Phillips

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, I should perhaps say that I have no personal interest to declare in this matter, but I wonder whether the noble Lord is aware that a working mother who ceases to work can receive maternity allowance for 11 weeks before the birth and 4 weeks after—or even a little longer—whereas if she continues to work she forfeits the money that she would have had before the birth. Since the money must be set aside for 18 weeks, would the Minister not agree that it would be more sensible and fair that all mothers should have the 18-week maternity allowance?

Lord Cullen of Ashbourne

My Lords, the noble Baroness probably knows that my right honourable friend sent out a consultation paper about this last October in order to try to tidy up what is rather a patchwork arrangement where there is a grant, an allowance and maternity pay. No consensus was reached on this, and we are now considering waiting until the new sick pay scheme comes into operation before reviewing the whole question of maternity benefits.

Lord Davies of Leek

My Lords when the noble Lord is reviewing these questions of social security allowances in many fields, please will he see that legislation is brought forward to help the people who are not learned in the law or in the ways and means of obtaining help, in order to help them to get what they are entitled to, particularly in view of the fact that there are millions of pounds of unclaimed social security owing to people who do not have the know-how?

Lord Cullen of Ashbourne

My Lords, it was with that idea in mind that a complete review of supplementary benefits was undertaken recently, and now I think the noble Lord will find that it is very much simpler, both for claimants and for those who are administering the scheme.

Baroness Phillips

My Lords, sensing that the noble Lord is sympathetic, may I express the hope that the review will come out with a fair scheme? Contributions have been made by all and it seems reasonable that all should collect.

Lord Cullen of Ashbourne

Yes, indeed, my Lords.

Lord Young of Dartington

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is able to make a statement about when the Government will be able to say that they will upgrade the level of maternity grant in line with inflation, instead of keeping it at its ridiculously low level of £25, which as the noble Lord knows, was set as long ago as 1969?

Lord Cullen of Ashbourne

My Lords, this is the crux of the matter. Certainly the sum of £25 was fixed in 1969 and has never been altered. One of the options for a review of the system is to abolish both the maternity allowance and the maternity pay and hugely increase the maternity grant. There are several other options, but it is fairly complicated and I doubt whether the House would want me to go into it.