§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will list in the Official Report the number of cases in each of the last five years where a woman has qualified for (a) the full 18 weeks maternity allowance and (b) less than the full 18 weeks.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information requested is as follows:
Women receiving maternity allowance for Year ended 18 weeks or more less than 18 weeks Total 31 March 1975 122,000 95,000 217,000 31 March 1976 146,000 107,000 253,000 31 March 1977 142,000 102,000 244,000 31 March 1978 165,000 112,000 277,000 31 March 1979 191,000 126,000 317,000