HC Deb 05 May 1958 vol 587 cc847-8
48. Mrs. L. Jeger

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many women in recéipt of the widowed mother's allowance are also in receipt of National Assistance; and what proportion this represents of the total number of recipients of the widowed mother's allowance.

The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

It is estimated that at the end of 1957 some 20,000 National Insurance widowed mother's allowances, or roughly one in seven, were being supplemented by weekly assistance grants. This, of course, was before the increase of National Insurance benefit rates in January of this year.

Mrs. Jeger

Would the Minister not agree that this indicates what a difficult time widowed mothers are having in trying to manage on the allowance? Has his attention been drawn to the recently published survey by the Institute of Community Studies which provides serious factual information to support this suggestion?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have read the very interesting report to which the hon. Lady refers. She herself, of course, will appreciate that the interviews on which it is based took place before two subsequent increases in the rate, and I think she will be aware that at 70s. the present rate for a widowed mother with one child is more than twice in money terms what it was in 1948 and in real terms 18s. 5d. more. In fact, there has been a bigger proportionate increase for the very reasons that she has given than any other National Insurance benefit.

Mrs. L. Jeger

s asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in what circumstances, under his regulations, a widowed mother does not qualify for the full widowed mother's allowance, other than by reason of the earnings rule.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The widow's own part of widowed mother's allowance is payable at a reduced rate if her husband's contribution record was deficient. The allowance is also subject to reduction during prolonged hospital treatment, or if the widow is receiving certain alternative benefits.

Mrs. Jeger

Is it not hard on the widowed mother that she should have her allowance reduced because of some default in her husband's contributions? Surely it costs her just as much to keep herself and her family together? Will the right hon. Gentleman not reply to this in party terms, because I do not think that either side of the House has done all that should be done for the welfare of the widowed mother?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

On the first part of the supplementary question, I think the hon. Lady will appreciate that it is inherent in an insurance scheme that the contribution record on which the benefit is based should affect the amount of, or indeed in extreme cases the entitlement to, that benefit. This is, after all, an insurance part of our social services and it is fundamental to it that if contributions are deficient benefits must be less.