§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many maternity allowances were granted in 1965, 1970, 1975 and in the most recent year for which figures are available.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe numbers requested are as follows:
Year ending 31 March Maternity Allowances Awarded 1965 234,000 1970 233,000 1975 217,000 1978* 277,000 * The latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the maternity allowance is financed; and how the financing is allocated between sources.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMaternity allowance, estimated to cost £144 million in 1980–81 at current rates of benefit, is one of the benefits totalling some £14 billion paid from the national insurance fund. The revenue of the fund is provided by the contributions of employers and insured persons, Treasury supplements and income from investments. Further details can be found in the report by the Government Actuary on the draft of the Social Security (Contributions, Re-rating) Order 1979, Cmnd 7771.