HC Deb 26 November 1942 vol 385 cc878-9
63. Mr. Ammon

asked the Minister of Health whether a woman who, for 30 or more years, has lived as his wife with a man who had duly contributed to the Government insurance funds, is eligible after his death for a widow's pension, although in fact the couple had not been through the ceremony of marriage?

Miss Horsbrugh

No, Sir. Under the Contributory Pensions Acts, a widow's pension in respect of the death of an insured man cannot be granted to any woman other than the woman who was his legal wife at the date of his death.