HC Deb 09 February 1976 vol 905 c83W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether foster mothers have to pay for their own national insurance stamp if they desire to qualify for a retirement pension.

Mr. O'Malley

In the typical situation where the foster mother applies the whole of any allowance to the maintenance of the child, there is no gainful employment. To qualify for a retirement pension on her own contributions she may need to pay voluntary class 3 contributions by stamping a card or by authorising direct debit of a bank or Giro account, for some or all the years concerned. The local social security office will be pleased to give advice on whether and how to pay these contributions.