§ 54 and 55. Mr. STEPHENasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) what would be the calculated cost of extending in Scotland the widows' contributory pension scheme to spinsters at the age of 55 or upwards; and whether he will consider taking steps to make pension provisions for such people, in view of their difficulties in finding employment;
(2) what would be the estimated cost of extending in England and Wales the widows' contributory pension scheme to spinsters at the age of 55 and upwards; and whether he will consider taking steps to make pension provision for such people in view of their difficulties in finding employment?
§ Mr. W. S. MORRISONI estimate that the cost of granting contributory old age pensions at 55, instead of at the present age of 65, to unmarried insured women would be an additional £4,500,000 a year (namely, £4,000,000 a year in England and Wales and £500,000 a year in Scotland), rising in 10 years' time to £5,740,000 a year (namely, £5,100,000 a year in England and Wales and £640,000 a year in Scotland). As regards 1059 the last part of each question, similar proposals have been made in the past, and it has not been found practicable to adopt them.
§ Mr. LEACHDo I understand that the figures given in the answer are on a contributory basis? Has the income been taken into account?
§ Mr. MORRISONYes, Sir, that is so.
§ Mr. MATHERSCould not the experiment be tried of introducing this extension in Scotland?