§ 58. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Health the number of cases of widows whose husbands died before the passing of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions Act, and who were given a pension which has been stopped since, and who will not become entitled to renewal until they attain the age of 55?
§ Sir K. WoodExact figures are not available, but it is estimated that the number of widows in this class in Great Britain who, having ceased to be entitled to pensions on the youngest child attaining the specified age, will again become entitled if and when they attain the age of 55, provided they have not remarried, is in the neighbourhood of 40,000.
§ Mr. GuyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable number of these widows have to apply for public assistance?
§ Sir K. WoodI thought the hon. Member was more interested in spinsters.
§ 60. Mr. Sextonasked the Minister of Health how many widows of insured men were awarded pensions at the age of 55 years under the terms of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act for the years 1934, 1935, and 1936, respectively?
§ Sir K. WoodThe number of widows who were awarded pensions on reaching the age of 55, as the widows of men in the insurable class who died before the inception of the scheme of contributory pensions, was 6,632 in 1934, 6,344 in 1935 and 6,900 in 1936. The figures relate to England only.