§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the expenditure in 1978–79 on special benefits for one-parent families what will be the figure in 1979–80 assuming no further increase in those benefits; and how this compares with such expenditure in 1973–74.
§ Mr. OrmeThe only social security benefits specially designed for one-parent families are widowed mother's allowance, child special allowance and child benefit (increase). The desired information concerning these benefits is as follows:
birth rate shown by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo. In "Priorities for Health and Personal Social Services" it was recognised that, because of the difficulties in forecasting the birthrate, the level of maternity services in all localities would need to be continuously and stringently reviewed in the light of any local changes in the number of births. Since health authorities have this in mind in their planning, I see no need for any further action at this time.