§ 28. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Minister of Health the number of widows who have lost their pensions on account of their youngest child reaching the age of 16 years; what would be the annual cost of restoring their pensions; and whether, having regard to the hardship caused by depriving these widows of their pensions, he will amend the Act so as to restore their pensions?
§ Mr. ElliotIt is estimated that the number of widows in Great Britain who, having ceased to be entitled to pensions on the youngest child attain- 1603 ing 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 30,000, and that the annual cost of restoring their pensions would be about £750,000. I am afraid that I cannot undertake to introduce legislation to make pensions payable, in cases where it has lapsed, for these widows at an earlier age than 55, which is the present age.
§ Mr. GriffithsIn view of the comparatively small cost to the Exchequer of these restorations and the fact that these people are having to fall back upon public assistance, will the right hon. Gentleman not reconsider his decision and restore the pensions?
§ Mr. ElliotI cannot undertake to go any further than the Labour Government went.