§ Baroness FISHER of REDNALasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that the maternity grant fixed in November 1965 at £25 now has a real value of less than £10.
§ Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNEThe grant was set at its present level of £25 in November 1969. The Government are aware that its purchasing power has fallen to less than £10 since that date. The question of the level of the grant is one of priorities. We are concentrating available resources on helping those receiving weekly cash benefits. Further social progress can only be made when the Government's policies for improving the economy are successful.