§ Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to extend the payment 502W of maternity grant to any person who adopts a baby.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. Friend has no plans to extend maternity grant to adoptive parents. The grant is a lump sum payment made to the natural mother to assist with the expenses she incurs in having a baby. Under section 12(4) of the Children Act 1975, adoption proceedings cannot begin until six weeks after the birth of a child.