§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will now increase the maternity grant to £114 and ensure that it is reviewed annually;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to make the period of payment of maternity allowance more flexible by enabling each woman to choose the commencement date of payment.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no current plans for change of the kind suggested. As the hon. Member knows, I recently announced our intention to undertake a review of maternity provision generally next year.