HC Deb 19 February 1987 vol 110 cc808-18W
Mr. Silkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Lewisham, Deptford, claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Lewisham, Deptford, are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Lewisham, Deptford constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Greenwich Park, Lewisham and Peckham although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the three local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Greenwich Park 1,246
Lewisham 1,597
Peckham 1,958

It is not possible to predict how many women in Lewisham, Deptford will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Concannon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Mansfield constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Mansfield constituency are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Mansfield constituency is covered by the Department's office at Mansfield although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant in Mansfield local office during the calendar year 1986 was 2,424.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Mansfield constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Benn

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Chesterfield received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Chesterfield are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested. But in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,860 claims to maternity allowance were made at Chesterfield, the Department's office which covers the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Chesterfield will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Benn

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Chesterfield claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Chesterfield are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Chesterfield constituency is covered by the Department's office at Chesterfield although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant in Chesterfield local office during the calendar year 1986 was 2,931.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Chesterfield will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. John Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Aberavon constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Aberavon constituency are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Aberavon constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Neath and Port Talbot although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Neath 838
Port Talbot 651

It is not possible to predict how many women in the Aberavon constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. John Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Aberavon constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Aberavon constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 401 claims to maternity allowance were made at Port Talbot and 538 claims at Neath, the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Aberavon will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Falkirk, West constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Falkirk, West constituency are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Falkirk, West constituency is covered by the Department's office at Falkirk although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant in the Falkirk local office during the calendar year 1986 was 499.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Falkirk, West constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Falkirk, West constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Falkirk, West constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,229 claims to maternity allowance were made at Falkirk, the Department's office which covers the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Falkirk, West will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency is covered by the Department's office at Kilmarnock although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant in Kilmarnock local office during the calendar year 1986 was 1,460.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women are expected to receive statutory maternity or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are avaiable, 920 claims to maternity allowance were made at Kilmarnock, the Department's office which covers the constituency although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Kilmarnock and Loudoun will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Ms. Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Birmingham, Ladywood received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Birmingham, Ladywood are expected to receive statutory maternity or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested. But in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are avaiable, the following numbers of claims to maternity allowance were made at the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

Number
Edgbaston 1,322
Handsworth 832
Ladywood 835

It is not possible to predict how many women in Birmingham, Ladywood will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Home Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in East Lothian received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in East Lothian are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested. But in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 927 claims to maternity allowance were made at Edinburgh (East), the Department's office which covers the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in East Lothian will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Home Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in East Lothian claimed maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in East Lothian are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The East Lothian constituency is covered by the Department's office at Edinburgh, East although its boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The number of claims received for maternity grant in Edinburgh, East local office during the calendar year 1986 was 1,398.

It is not possible to predict how many women in East Lothian will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Newham, South received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Newham, South are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, the following number of claims to maternity allowance were made at the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous:

Number
Plaistow 999
Woodgrange Park 1,101
Canning Town 273

It is not possible to predict how many women in Newham, South will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Newham South claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Newham South are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Newham, South constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Canning Town, Plaistow and Woodgrange Park although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the three local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Canning Town 612
Plaistow 1,613
Woodgrange Park 1,848

It is not possible to predict how many women in Newham, South will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in (a) Islington, South and Finsbury and (b) Cambridge received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in (a) Islington, South and Finsbury and (b) Cambridge are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, the following numbers of claims to maternity allowance were made at the Department's offices which cover the above constituencies although the boundaries are not conterminous:

(a) Islington South and Finsbury
Number
Hoxton 695
Finsbury Park 1,209
Westminster 1
1 Claims for these offices are dealt with at Aldershot Out-Station. A total of 2,999 claims were dealt with at that office but this total includes claims proper to other offices.

(b) Cambridge
Number
Cambridge 2,390

It is not possible to predict how many women in Islington, South and Finsbury and in Cambridge will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Ron Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Edinburgh, Leith claimed maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Edinburgh, Leith are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Edinburgh, Leith constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Edinburgh City and Edinburgh North although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Edinburgh City 325
Edinburgh North 1,050

It is not possible to predict how many women in Edinburgh, Leith will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Ron Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Edinburgh, Leith received maternity allowance in the past year for which figures are available; and how many women in Edinburgh, Leith are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 736 claims to maternity allowance were made at Edinburgh (North) and 839 claims at Edinburgh (City), the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Edinburgh, Leith will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 272 claims to maternity allowance were made at Cumnock and 881 claims at Ayr, the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Ayr and Cumnock although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Ayr 1,381
Cumnock 431

It is not possible to predict how many women in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Ayr constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Ayr constituency are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The Ayr constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Ayr and Kilmarnock although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:—

Number
Ayr 1,381
Kilmarnock 1,460

It is not possible to predict how many women in the Ayr constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Ayr constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Ayr constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 920 claims to maternity allowance were made at Kilmarnock and 881 claims at Ayr, the Depatment's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous. It is not possible to predict how many women in the Ayr constituency will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Bury St. Edmunds constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Bury St. Edmunds constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,527 claims to maternity allowance were made at Bury St. Edmunds, the Department's office which covers the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous. It is not possible to predict how many women in the Bury St. Edmunds constituency will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Miss Maynard

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Sheffield, Brightside constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Sheffield, Brightside constituency are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested. The Sheffield, Brightside constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Sheffield, North-East and Sheffield, North-West although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Sheffield, North East 1,579
Sheffield, North West 1,933

It is not possible to predict how many women in Sheffield, Brightside constituency will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Miss Maynard

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (i) how many women in Sheffield, Brightside constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available and (ii) how many women in Sheffield, Brightside constituency are expected to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 790 claims to maternity allowance were made at Sheffield, North-East and 1,142 claims at Sheffield, North-West, the Department's offices which cover the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous. It is not possible to predict how many women in the Sheffield, Brightside constituency will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Home Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Western Isles constituency claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the Western Isles are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

The Western Isles constituency is covered by the Department's office at Stornoway. The number of claims received for maternity grant in Stornoway local office during the calendar year 1986 was 349. It is not possible to predict how many women in the Western Isles will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Home Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in the Western Isles constituency received maternity allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in the Western Isles are expected to qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months ending April 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 430 claims to maternity allowance were made at Stornoway, the Department's office which covers the constituency, although the boundaries are not conterminous.

It is not possible to predict how many women in the Western Isles constituency will qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance from April 1987. However, it is estimated that in total some 230,000 women will qualify for statutory maternity pay and 84,000 for maternity allowance in 1987–88.

Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women in Leyton claimed the maternity grant in the last year for which figures are available; and how many women in Leyton are expected to qualify for a maternity payment from the social fund after April 1987.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested.

The Leyton constituency is covered by the Department's offices at Leytonstone and Walthamstow although their boundaries are not conterminous with the constituency. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the calendar year 1986 were as follows:

Number
Leytonstone 1,529
Walthamstow 1,901

It is not possible to predict how many women in Leyton will qualify for maternity payments from the social fund from April 1987.

Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for maternity grants have been made in Dundee in each of the past two years.

Mr. Major

Information on the number of claimants to maternity grant is not available in the precise form requested as the Department's local offices in Dundee cover areas outside Dundee. The numbers of claims received for maternity grant in each of the two local offices during the 1985 and 1986 calendar years were as follows:

1985 1986
Dundee East 1,488 1,940
Dundee West 1,126 1,091

Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for maternity allowance have been made in Dundee in each of the past two years.

Mr. Major

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 12 February at column352 in respect of the number of claims to maternity allowance in the 12 months ending April 1986.

In the year to April 1985, 1,060 claims were made at Dundee, East and 837 at Dundee, West, the Department's offices which cover Dundee, although the boundaries are not conterminous.