HC Deb 18 February 1987 vol 110 cc698-709W
Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the London borough of Redbridge received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the London borough of Redbridge are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 2,140 claims to maternity allowance were made at Ilford, 1,101 at Woodgrange Park and 1,048 at Leytonstone, the Department's offices which cover the London borough of Redbridge, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in the London borough of Redbridge will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Michie

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Calder Valley received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Calder Valley are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,748 claims to maternity allowance were made at Halifax, the Department's office which covers the area, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Calder Valley will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Michie

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Sheffield, Heeley, claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Sheffield, Heeley, are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The Sheffield, Heeley constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Sheffield south-east and Sheffield south-west although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Numbers
Sheffield, south-east 1,243
Sheffield, south-west 1,793

It is not possible to predict how many women in Sheffield, Heeley will qualify for statutory maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Michie

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Sheffield, Heeley, received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Sheffield, Heeley, are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 810 claims to maternity allowance were made at Sheffield, South-east and 1,180 claims at Sheffield, South-west, the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Sheffield, Heeley will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88

Mr. Michie

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Calder Valley claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Calder Valley are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Calder Valley constituency is covered by the Department's office at Halifax although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant in the Halifax local office during the calendar year 1986 was 2,482.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Calder Valley will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Leeds, East constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the same constituency are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Leeds, East constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Leeds, East and Leeds, North although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Leeds, East 1,815
Leeds, North 2,239

It is not possible to predict how many women in the Leeds, East constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Leeds, East constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the same constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 957 claims to maternity allowance were made at Leeds, Central and 1,396 claims at Leeds, North, the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Leeds, East will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,395 claims to maternity allowance were made at the Department's Barking and Dagenham offices and 2,140 claims at Ilford, the offices which cover the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The London borough of Barking and Dagenham was covered by the Department's offices at Barking and Dagenham although their boundaries are not conterminous with the borough. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Barking 1,508
Dagenham1 412
1 Dagenham local office closed on 14 August 1986 when its work was transferred to Barking.

It is not possible to predict how many women in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the London borough of Redbridge claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the London borough of Redbridge are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The London borough of Redbridge is covered by the Department's offices at Ilford, Leytonstone and Woodgrange Park, although their boundaries are not conterminous with the borough. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the three local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Ilford 3,103
Leytonstone 1,529
Woodgrange Park 1,848

It is not possible to predict how many women In the London borough of Redbridge will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. John Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Edinburgh, South constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Edinburgh, South constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,215 claims to maternity allowance were made at Edinburgh, South and 839 claims at Edinburgh, City, the Department's offices which cover Edinburgh, South, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Edinburgh, South will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However. it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. John Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Monklands, East constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Monklands, East constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, the following number of claims to maternity allowance were made at the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous:

Number
Coatbridge 495
Shotts 124
Airdrie 422

It is not possible to predict how many women in Monklands, East will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. John Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Edinburgh, South constituency claimed maternity grants in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Edinburgh, South constituency are expected to qualify for maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Edinburgh, South constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Edinburgh, city and Edinburgh, south although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Edinburgh, city 325
Edinburgh, south 1,684

It is not possible to predict how many women in Edinburgh, South constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. John Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Monklands, East constituency claimed maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the Monklands, East constituency are expected to qualify for maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Monklands, East constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Airdrie, Coatbridge and Shotts although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the three local offices during the calendar year of 1986 were as follows:

Number
Airdrie 707
Coatbridge 804
Shotts 181

It is not possible to predict how many women in the Monklands, East constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Foot

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Blaenau Gwent claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Blaenau Gwent are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Blaenau Gwent constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Abertillery and Ebbw Vale although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Abertillery 392
Ebbw Vale 326

It is not possible to predict how many women in Blaenau Gwent will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Foot

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Blaenau Gwent received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Blaenau Gwent are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 549 claims to maternity allowance were made at Ebbw Vale and 241 claims at Abertillery, the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Blaenau Gwent will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Peterborough received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Peterborough are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 2,703 claims to maternity allowance were made at Peterborough, the Department's offices which covers Peterborough, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Peterborough will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Wandsworth claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Wandsworth are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The number of claims received for maternity grant in the Wandsworth local office during the calendar year was 1,120.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Wandsworth will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Clackmannan claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Clackmannan are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Clackmannan constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Falkirk and Sterling although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Falkirk 499
Stirling 1,485

It is not possible to predict how many women in Clackmannan will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Bradford claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Bradford are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Bradford is covered by the Department's offices at Bradford, east, Bradford, south and Bradford, west although their boundaries are not conterminous with the Bradford constituencies. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the three local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Bradford, east 1,815
Bradford, south 2,173
Bradford, west 1,724

It is not possible to predict how many women in Bradford will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Bradford received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Bradford are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, the following claims to maternity allowance were made at the Department's offices which cover Bradford, although the boundaries are not conterminous:

Number
Bradford, east 1,025
Bradford, west 867
Bradford, south 962

It is not possible to predict how many women in Bradford will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Warley, East received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Warley, East are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,346 claims to maternity allowance were made at Smethwick, the Department's office which covers the constituency although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Warley, East will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Warley, East claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Warley, East are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The Warley, East constituency is covered by the Department's office at Smethwick although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant in the Smethwick local office during the calendar year 1986 was 2,398. It is not possible to predict how many women in Warley, East will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Silkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Lewisham, Deptford, received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Lewisham, Deptford, are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, the following claims to maternity allowance were made at the Deprtment's offices which cover the constituency although the boundaries are not conterminous:

Number
Greenwich Park 855
Lewisham 1,027
Peckham 1,431

It is not possible to predict how many women in Lewisham, Deptford will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Manchester, Wythenshawe constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the constituency of Manchester, Wythenshawe are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Manchester, Wythenshawe constituency is covered by the Department's office at Wythenshawe. The number of claims received for maternity grant at Wythenshawe local office during the calendar year 1986 was 1,027.

It is not possible to predict how many women in the Manchester, Wythenshawe constituency will qualify for maternity payments fom the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Manchester, Wythenshawe constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the Manchester, Wythenshawe constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 607 claims to maternity allowance were made at Manchester, Wythenshawe, the Department's office which covers the contituency although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in the Manchester, Wythenshawe will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the London borough of Brent received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, the following numbers of claims to maternity allowance were made at the Department's offices which cover the Borough of Brent, although the boundaries are not conterminous:

Number
Harlesden 967
Hendon 1,111
Ealing 2,019
Notting Hill 744
Neasden 1,363
Cricklewood 489
Paddington 696

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Brent claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. Brent is covered by the Department's local offices at Cricklewood, Ealing. Harlesden, Hendon, Neasden, Notting Hill and Paddington, although their boundaries are not conterminous with the London borough of Brent. The numbers of claims for maternity grant in each of these local offices during the 1986 calendar year were as follows:

Number
Cricklewood 633
Ealing 2,200
Harlesden 1,143
Hendon 1,750
Neasden 1,911
Notting Hill 742
Paddington 1,138

Mr. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Dumbarton constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the constituency are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The Dumbarton constituency is covered by the Department's office at Dumbarton although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant at Dumbarton local office during the calendar year 1986 was 1,119. It is not possible to predict how many women in the Dumbarton constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Dumbarton constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 757 claims to maternity allowance were made at Dumbarton, the Department's office which covers the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Dumbarton will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Stott

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Wigan claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Wigan are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The Wigan constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Wigan although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant in the Wigan local office during the calendar year 1986 was 2,633. It is not possible to predict how many women in Wigan will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Stott

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Wigan travel-to-work area received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many such women are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,900 claims to maternity allowance were made at Wigan, the Department's office which covers the Wigan constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous. It is not possible to predict how many women in Wigan and the surrounding area will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women claimed maternity grant in Portsmouth in the last year; and what estimates have been made as to the likely number of claimants for maternity payments for the year after the introduction of payments from the social fund.

Mr. Major

The number of claims for maternity grant made at the Department's local office at Portsmouth during the 1986 calendar year was 2,665. It is not possible to predict how many women in Portsmouth will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.