HC Deb 31 January 1955 vol 536 cc666-8
4. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what improvements he has now decided to make in the pensions of widows receiving only 10s. a week.

3. Mr. Shurmer

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will make a statement on the future position of pension for the pre-1948 widows who now only receive the 10s. per week pension.

Mr. Marples

The position of these widows is among the questions now being considered by the National Insurance Advisory Committee as part of their review of the widowhood provisions of the scheme, and my right hon. Friend must await their report.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the Minister try to expedite this matter? Is he not aware that the deserving but diminishing number of widows are suffering both hardship and a sense of injustice? Will he not try to get this Committee to "get a move on" in this very urgent matter?

Mr. Marples

During the course of our debates at the end of last year, my right hon. Friend indicated that pressure ought not to be put on the Committee, because of the complicated nature of this problem. I would remind the House that all comparable widows who come under the 1948 scheme get no pension at all, which indicates how complicated this matter is.

Mr. D. Marshall

Has my hon. Friend any idea when this report will be available?

Mr. Marples

None at all.

13. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when he expects to receive the report from the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the position of widows and the effect of the increased contributions on the lower income groups.

Mr. Marples

My right hon. Friend received the Committee's report on the liability for contributions of persons with small incomes on 21st January, and it is now being studied. I cannot forecast a date for the receipt of the report on the position of widows.

Miss Ward

Is it the Minister's intention that the Committee should, if pos- sible, try to find a means of dealing with this problem of the "10s. widow" and that their report should not merely seek to get rid of the trouble?

Mr. Marples

My right hon. Friend has submitted the question of the conditions of widows' pensions to the Advisory Committee in all good faith and he must now await their report.