§ Dame Jill Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to amend the regulations relating to the maternity allowance to permit a woman who is widowed during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth to receive maternity allowance.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about changes in the regulations governing the payment of maternity allowances to women widowed during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have at present no proposals to change the rules which prevent the simultaneous payment to the same person of two benefits intended for personal maintenance. However, a number of representations on the point raised by my hon. Friend have recently been received, mainly arising from a resolution passed by the National Union of Townswomen's Guilds. The National Union has itself written to me about it, referring to the social security review, and its representations will accordingly be considered alongside other suggestions made in the course of consultation on the Green Paper.