HC Deb 25 January 1983 vol 35 c392W
Mr. John Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current value of the maternity grant compared with (a) May 1979, (b) the time when it was last uprated, and (c) the time when it was first introduced.

Mr. Rossi

The maternity grant was increased to its present level of £25 in November 1969. When it was just 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 grant at November 1982 prices would be as follows:

  1. (a) £37.76 compared with May 1979
  2. (b) £117.13 compared with November 1969
  3. (c) £41.75 compared with July 1948

Mr. John Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the Official Report the current maternity grant in each European Community country.

Mr. Rossi

Information on the provision of maternity benefits, including, where it is payable, the levels of maternity grant, is contained in the Department's publication "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the Member States of the European Communities (Position at 1 January 1982)", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.