HC Deb 06 March 1912 vol 35 c504W
Mr. ROWNTREE

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, under Section 8 (6) of the National Insurance Act, an insured woman is entitled to sickness benefit in respect of her confinement for four weeks, even if she is not incapable of work during the whole of that period?

Mr. MASTERMAN

An insured woman will receive maternity benefit of 30s. on confinement. An insured married woman will receive sickness benefit for so long as she is incapable of work. The Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, prohibits the employment in a factory or workshop of any woman within four weeks after childbirth; but if the woman is certified to be incapable of work for a longer period, she will continue to receive sickness benefit.