HC Deb 11 February 1980 vol 978 cc476-7W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what additional benefit in cash or in kind can be claimed by a pregnant woman dependent on supplementary benefit.

Mrs. Chalker

For those pregnant women on supplementary benefit there is automatic entitlement to free milk and vitamins, free prescriptions, free dental treatment, free National Health Service glasses and reimbursement of fares to attend hospital. A special payment of supplementary benefit can be made by the Supplementary Benefits Commission for maternity clothing. The Commission can also make a lump-sum payment in respect of essential items for the baby where the maternity grant has not been awarded or where it is insufficient to cover the cost of these items.