§ 80. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of nurses and hospital accommodation, many expectant mothers must have their confinements at home, and that the maternity benefits paid to them are the same as to those who are confined in hospitals; and whether he will consider taking steps to give extra financial assistance to expectant mothers confined in their own homes to cover additional expenses involved as compared with confinements in hospitals.
§ Mr. BevanI have no powers under the National Health Service Act which would enable me to make grants towards expenditure incurred privately. If my hon. Friend has in mind the possibility of a change in National Insurance maternity benefits, that is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Minister of National Insurance, but I would remind him that at her request the National Insurance Advisory Committee is now engaged in a review of these benefits.