§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many payments of maternity grants have been made during the last 12 months; and how many of these were on account of first-born children and how many in regard to second and subsequent children.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe number of maternity grants paid in the 12 months to 30 September 1980 was 673,000. It is regretted that there is no information as to how many of these grants were on account of first-born children but we estimate from other sources that the proportion would have been of the order of 45 per cent.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of Sate for Social Services what method is used by his Department to inform expectant mothers of their right to claim (a) maternity grants and (b) maternity allowances; and whether he is satisfied that such information is given as effectively to mothers expecting their second and subsequent children as to those expecting their first child.
§ Mrs. ChalkerPosters and leaflets are provided for antenatal and child health clinics and social security offices. They are therefore equally available to attending mothers expecting their second or subsequent children as to those expecting their first child. General practitioners also receive copies of the poster and leaflets are made available to citizens' advice bureaux.