§ Mr. Thorpeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations she has received in relation to the Government's decision not to pay the noncontributory invalidity pension to housewives before 1977–78; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWe have received a substantial volume of correspondence including, in particular, representations initiated by the National Federation of Women's Institutes. The replies have pointed out that our new housewives' non-contributory invalidity pension forms part of a substantial, but necessarily phased, programme of improved benefits for disabled people and their families; that preparatory work for the introduction of this new benefit is going ahead, aided by detailed information from other countries and by discussions both with members of the All-Party Disablement Group in the House and the Disablement Income Group; and that as soon as a starting date capable of achievement becomes clear we shall announce it.