asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with social security arrangements for married women.

There is a wide range of provisions in social security legislation affecting the position of women. Some of these have been altered by recent legislation on national insurance contributions and benefits; the provisions of the supplementary benefit scheme are currently under review and any proposals for change will be published for discussion; and the Council of the European Communities has published a draft directive concerning equality of treatment for men and women in social security.