§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women claimed maternity allowance in the last five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. ScottThe information requested is in the table.
Year Number of claims 1986–87 490,000 1987–88 147,000 1988–89 130,000 1989–90 120,000 1990–91 110,000 Notes:
1. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) replaced Maternity Allowance for most pregnant women from 6 April 1987.
2. Figures for 1990–91 are provisional.