§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the additional cost if maternity grant were made a non-contributory benefit.
§ Mr. EnnalsMaternity grant is paid in respect of over 90 per cent. of births in Great Britain each year. Those who fail to qualify are, for the most part, those who cannot meet the contribution conditions. The gross extra cost of paying the grant without regard to contributions would, in the current year, be about £1 million. But this is something which could only be considered as more resources become available.