§ 32. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many widows over 50 years of age are now receiving pensions of 10s. a week.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAbout 80,000 widows between 50 and 60 have widows' basic pensions of 10s. a week, and another 34,000 over 60 have contributory old age pensions of the same amount. Most of these in the latter category will become eligible for the National Insurance retirement pension when they retire from regular work.
§ 33. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will introduce legislation to abolish the category of 10s. widow and make such widows, over 50 years of age, eligible for the normal widow's pension.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir. This pension is payable only in respect of an old right preserved when the National Insurance Bill came into operation. To carry out the hon. Lady's suggestion would increase the disparity which already exists between these widows and those in identical circumstances who receive no pension because their only rights are under the present Act.
§ Mrs. JegerCan the right hon. Gentleman say what representations he has received on this matter? Is he aware that there is growing public feeling that it is unfair to continue to penalise these women purely because their husbands died under the wrong Act of Parliament, their husbands having paid the proper insurance contributions in force during their lifetime?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI think the hon. Lady completely misunderstands the position, which is that most of these ladies receive this small pension in circumstances otherwise identical with those in which other widows receive no pension at all.
§ Mrs. JegerIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply and his inaccuracy in suggesting that all 20 widows over 50 get only 10s. a week pension, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.