§ Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that great hardship has been caused among numbers of households where the father has been out of work for some time and he has not a certain insurance record and, as a result, has lost his title to maternity benefit; and will he take steps to have this benefit granted to all, despite the period of unemployment?
§ Sir K. WOODI am aware that cases have arisen in which title to maternity benefit has been lost by reason of prolonged unemployment, but the hon. Member will recall that in the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Act of the present Session provision was made under which the title to maternity benefit will no longer cease with the expiration of the free insurance period but will be retained so long as insurance is continued on proof of prolonged unemployment. Further, the provision in the Act under which arrears due to unemployment are in future to be completely excused will prevent any reduction of maternity benefit by reason of unemployment.