§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department has undertaken, or will undertake, a survey to discover the level of infant care allowance which would be sufficient to persuade mothers of children aged less than three years to give up outside paid work, in order to devote themselves entirely to care of the child; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNo, a survey would not be appropriate.
§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make an estimate of the cost of paying an infant care allowance of (a) £ 525W (b) £25 and (c) £30 a week to all mothers of children aged less than three years who undertake not to enter into paid employment, assuming that half of those eligible accept the offer.
§ Mrs. ChalkerOn the assumption that half the mothers with children aged less than three years undertook not to enter into paid employment, the cost of an infant care allowance would be:
- (a) £850 million a year;
- (b) £1,275 million a year;
- (c) £1,700 million a year;