§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he takes to alleviate the effects of poverty upon the diet of pregnant women; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will consider introducing a weekly cash supplement, payable to all pregnant women receiving supplementary benefit, to enable them to enhance their diets; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what proportion of her income a single woman on supplementary benefit would spend on food in order to conform to hospital recommendations of a suitable diet for pregnancy.
§ Dr. BoysonThe supplementary benefit scale rates, on which the calculation of a person's supplementary benefit entitlement is based, are intended to cover all items of normal expenditure on day-to-day living, including food. In real terms, the adult scale rates have more than doubled since 1948 and are 5 per cent. higher now than in 1978. In practice, individuals will decide on the amount and proportion of their income to be allocated to each area of expenditure, including food, in the light of their overall circumstances and their particular needs and preferences, taking account of any medical advice received, which will of course vary in individual cases.
Healthy expectant mothers who receive supplementary benefit or family income supplement, or who are on a low income, can supplement their normal diet with free milk and vitamins obtained using tokens. Where an expectant mother receiving supplementary benefit incurs expenditure above the normal as a result of following a special diet because of an illness or similar condition, a weekly 375W addition to benefit can be made. We have no proposals to provide all pregnant women who receive benefit with an automatic payment for special diets.