8.—(1) In Schedule 3 to the principal Act, at the beginning of paragraph 3 (contribution conditions for maternity allowance) insert—
“(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below,”.
(2) At the end of that paragraph add the following sub-paragraphs—
“(2) In the case of a claimant who is or has been paid otherwise than weekly, any week—
(a)in respect of which she did not pay contributions of a relevant Class, but
(b)for which her earnings were such that, had she been paid weekly, she would have been required to pay primary Class 1 contributions in respect of that week, and
(c)for which no such election as is mentioned in Article 5(2)(a) of the Pensions Order (contributions at a reduced rate) was in force in her case,
shall be treated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above as a week in respect of which she actually paid such contributions otherwise than at a reduced rate.
(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) above, the amount of the claimant’s earnings for any week shall be determined in accordance with regulations.”.