§ Mr. Joel Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the position of a man in respect of 87W his entitlement to sickness benefit for a common law wife, following the information supplied to him by the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeanThe general position is that an increase of sickness benefit may be payable for a woman, not legally married to the beneficiary, where she cares for dependent children of the beneficiary. I am looking into the case to which the hon. Member refers and will write to him when my enquiries are complete.