§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the present amount of the maternity grant; and how this compares in real terms with the value of the grant when it was first introduced.
§ Lord EltonThe maternity grant is at present £25. When it was first introduced in July 1948 the grant was £4. On the basis of the movement in the general index of retail prices, the real value of the £4 grant at February 1982 prices would be £39.78.