HC Deb 11 December 1979 vol 975 c591W
52. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of those eligible for maternity grant have claimed the grant over the past five years for which figures are available.

Mr. Prentice

The percentage of births for which a maternity grant was paid in each of the past five years was:

Year ended March 1974: 91 per cent.

Year ended March 1975: 91 per cent.

Year ended March 1976: 95 per cent.

Year ended March 1977: 91 per cent.

Year ended March 1978: 92 per cent.

However, it is not known how many expectant mothers eligible for the grant did not claim it.