§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in theOfficial Report the most recent available figures showing (a) the number of maternity payments from the social fund made to women on income support and the take-up rate for this benefit, (b) the number of awards of free milk and vitamins made to pregnant women on income support and the take-up rate for this benefit and (c) the number of pregnant women on income support.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe information is as follows:
(a) 95,700 social fund maternity payments were made to women on income support between 11 April 1988 and 31 November 1988;
(b) information is not yet available on the number of awards of free milk and vitamins to women on income support. The May 1987 annual statistical inquiry showed 47,000 such awards to women receiving supplementary benefit;
(c) pregnant women are not separately identified for income support purposes.
It is not therefore possible to provide information about take up for either maternity payments or free milk and vitamins.