§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if the Government will introduce an invalid care allowance equal to the basic rate of unemployment benefit for single women who give up work to care for a sick relative; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a statement concerning the Government's policies in consequence of the report "Finance Hardship and the Single Woman" published by the National Council for the Single Woman and her Dependants, a copy of which has been sent to him.
§ Mr. DeanI am well aware of the problems which can arise when a man or woman gives up work to care for a relative, but I have no new proposals to put forward. Apart from the well-established provision by way of supplementary benefit, attendance allowance may be payable to the sick person. With the extension of that allowance to the rather less severely handicapped, a greater number of families are now benefiting in this way.