HC Deb 14 October 1976 vol 917 cc201-2W
Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimate of the number of women who would qualify for the invalid care allowance apart from the fact that they are married; and what is his estimate of the number of these women who are caring for husbands drawing invalidity pension or similar benefit for which they receive an addition for their wives equal to the proposed non-contributory invalidity pension.

Mr. Alfred Morris

On the basis of a variety of assumptions the best estimate of the total number of married women who might qualify for invalid care allowance, were it to be extended to them, is within the range of 100,000 to 150,000. The number of married women caring for husbands who are receiving attendance allowance and another social security benefit—and who are consequently probably also receiving a dependency benefit for their wives—which is included in this total may be of the order of 30,000 to 35,000.