§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to conclude his consideration of the possibility of a non-contributory maternity grant; and if he is considering applying any of the funds saved from removing the entitlement to welfare milk and vitamins from certain expectant mothers for this purpose.
§ Mr. PrenticeConsideration of the implications of making the maternity grant non-contributory is still in progress and I cannot yet say when a decision will be reached.
The funds saved by the limited changes in the welfare food scheme are being applied in accordance with the intentions announced in paragraph 37 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1980–81" (Cmnd. 7746).