§ 29. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of National Insurance how many widows will be unable to qualify for pension as a statutory right under the new scheme on 5th July, 1948; and whether any provision is made for these women apart from national assistance.
§ Mr. SteeleIn reply to the first part of the Question, I regret that information is not available in the form asked for by my hon. Friend. In reply to the second part, there are various schemes outside National Insurance; for example, the war pensions scheme and occupational pensions schemes such as that for the police, which make provision for widows. It would, of course, be open to any widow to apply for national assistance if she is in need after 5th July, whether or not other provision has been made for her either under the National Insurance Scheme or otherwise.
§ Mr. LipsonIs my hon. Friend aware that many of these widows object very strongly to applying for national assistance, and will he not consider whether provision cannot be made for them under the National Insurance Scheme?
§ Mr. SteeleOf course, the position under the National Insurance Scheme, so far as widows are concerned, is set out in the special leaflet dealing with them, but we are hoping that, with the abolition of the old Poor Law, there will be a new approach to this question.