§ 3. Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what action she proposes to take to alleviate the hardship suffered by the 10s. widows.
§ Miss HerbisonAs my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced last week, we propose to increase the pensions of these widows to 30s.
§ Mr. JohnstonThe right hon. Lady will know how pleased we are at this. Can she tell me whether the Government have any proposals to safeguard this pension? For example, will they be considering a periodical review of the pension to ensure that it does not depreciate as the cost of living rises? Will she give me an undertaking that some Measure of that kind will be considered by the Government?
§ Miss HerbisonJust as we have reviewed the pension of 10s. and propose to raise it to 30s., I can give the assurance to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Grant-FerrisWill the right hon. Lady remember that there are a large number of widows who, for a variety of reasons, do not qualify even for the 10s. pension, and will she do her best to keep them as much as possible in mind for something in the future?
§ Miss HerbisonThere is a later Question on that, but I would like to add that these widows were widows also during the 13½ years that the Opposition were in power when nothing was done for them.