§ 49. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of paying the full increase of widow's pension to those widows who are now receiving less than the standard pension by virtue of an earlier deficiency in contributions.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAbout £20,000 a year:
§ Mr. ChetwyndAs these widows were recently very bitterly disappointed when they found out that they were not getting a full 10s. increase; as every time there is an increase in the pension the gap between what these people receive and the standard pension becomes wider; and as 807 the increase in pension is not related to the previous contribution record, would it not be just to make the full increase apply in all cases, especially as the amount involved here is such a small one?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir. We have followed the practice in respect of all previous increases of making the increases proportionate to the contribution record, and as this is a contributory scheme, I do not think I should be justified in departing from the very clear and very sensible precedents in this matter.
§ 51. Mr. C. Howellasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, having regard to the increased pensions recently granted to most pensioners and the increasing hardship of widows receiving the 10s. basic pension only, due to increases in the cost of living since last November, if he will now consider amending the regulations to provide for the payment of the full pension when such widows attain the age of 50 years.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir. I do not think there would be any justification for providing that a National Insurance retirement pension should be paid to these widows at an earlier age than that at which it is paid to other widows similarly circumstanced.
§ Mr. HowellWhile all widows are unfortunate in having suffered the loss of their husbands, does the right hon. Gentleman not agree it is an anomaly that a woman whose husband dies when she is just under 50 years of age—perhaps by only seven days—does not receive the pension to which she would be entitled at the age of 50? Does not the Minister think an easy way of overcoming this anomaly would be to allow such women to qualify for pension on reaching the age of 50?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, because the problem to which the hon. Member refers, and of which I am fully conscious, arises just as much in the case of the National Insurance widows as in relation to the comparatively small number of 10s. widows; because, in general, the 10s. widows are receiving 10s. in circumstances in which widows without their reserved rights are receiving nothing. I do not think that the proposal of the hon. Member would do anything but increase the disparity between the two groups.
§ Mr. GowerWill my right hon. Friend consider the even more serious anomaly of widows who receive 10s. a week and, apparently, cannot opt to subscribe at the lower rate of insurance, while widows receiving larger sums of £1 or more can do so?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterPerhaps my hon. Friend will put down a Question.