HC Deb 08 August 1980 vol 990 cc526-7W
Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make the award of maternity benefit noncontributory.

Mrs. Chalker

This change was legislated for in the Social Security Act 1980. The maternity grant will be noncontributory from 1982. We have no plans to make the maternity allowance non-contributory.

Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Service if he will consider taking steps to make the payment of maternity benefit conditional upon expectant mothers accepting antenatal care.

Mrs. Chalker

It would not be practicable to introduce such a system with the maternity grant at its present level of £25. When it becomes possible to increase the grant substantially, we shall give careful consideration to this proposal.