§ 94. Mr. E. Smithasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the approximate cost of paying the old age pension to all women whose husbands have reached 65 years of age; and what is the estimated number of women who would be affected and the number who have been forced to apply for public assistance?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)As regards the first two parts of this question, which I assume refers to the cost of paying the old age pensions to all women whose husbands have reached 65 years of age and are in receipt of an old age pension, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2nd March to a question by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). As regards the latter part of the question, I regret that information is not available.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister prepared to consider the setting up of a social service fund in order to deal with this grave problem?