HC Deb 19 February 1980 vol 979 c142W
Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to start linking the maternity grant to the retail price index, following the publication of the Employment Bill, which limits the rights of women to return to their jobs, having taken maternity leave.

Mr. Prentice

No. It would be wrong for the Government to commit themselves in this way to increased expenditure in future years.