§ Mr. Joel Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to ensure that, where a husband gives up work to look after his wife who becomes a terminal case, national insurance stamps are credited to him so that he does not lose sickness benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeanMy right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce such legislation. The general basis for the award of credits is that a person is experiencing a contingency against which he is insured under the National Insurance Scheme. If a person gives up work for a short time and pays contribution as a non-employed 67W person for those weeks, his sickness benefit cover will not normally be affected.