§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the maternity grant was introduced; what its value was then; what that value would be at present day prices; what its value is now; and to what value it would need to be increased to match its 1969 value in real terms.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWhen the national insurance scheme was introduced in July 1948, provision was made for a maternity grant of £4; its equivalent value today would be £37.40. At chat time the grant was supplemented by an attendance allowance of £1 a week for four weeks where the woman was not entitled to maternity allowance. The current maternity grant of £25 would need to be increased to £105 to match its 1969 value in real terms.