§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total amount of sickness benefit paid out to married women at the married 236W women's rate, presently £9.20 per week, for the last year for which figures are available;
(2) if he will consider removing the apparent anomaly whereby a married man receives sickness benefit at the standard rate whereas a married woman normally receives a reduced rate; how much it would cost to establish general entitlement of married men and women to the standard rate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmePersonal sickness benefit paid to married women at the married women's rate in 1975–76 is estimated to have amounted to £17 million. The special married women's rate of sickness benefit is to be abolished in 1978 as part of the new pension scheme arrangements. It is estimated that the annual cost, which will be affected by the phasing-out of the married woman's option not to pay full contributions, and so not to be covered for sickness benefit and other benefits, will initially be about £8 million, in terms of present rates of benefit.