§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is now able to announce new costings for the extension of invalid care allowance to married and cohabiting women: and if he will supply a full breakdown of such costings.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the implementation of the European Economic Community guidelines relating to sex discrimination in social security benefits in 1983 will involve the extension of invalid care allowance to married and cohabiting women.
§ Mr. RossiI am advised that the directive does not apply to invalid care allowance, but we have made it clear that the extension of the allowance to married and cohabiting women will be considered along with other competing claims if additional resources become available.