§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make maternity grants payable to (a) expectant mothers aged under 16 years, (b) unsupported mothers on supplementary benefit and (c) non-working wives of students or prisoners or long-term unemployed.
§ Mr. PrenticeTo ensure that all mothers received the maternity grant would involve making it non-contributory. An amendment to the Social Security Bill seeking to achieve this has been tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Mr. Benyon) and we are giving active consideration to the implications of it.