§ 34 and 35. Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) what plans she has to reduce the 50-year entitlement age for widows' pensions; and if she will make a statement;
§ (2) if she will introduce legislation to provide pension eligibility for non-contributory widows; and if she will make a statement on the review of this subject which is in progress.
§ Miss HerbisonAs announced in the Gracious Speech, proposals in respect of widows' allowances will be brought forward in this Session. As regards other forms of widow's benefit I can only say consideration of them is proceeding as part of the review of social security provisions on which the Government are engaged.
§ Mr. PounderWhile I thank the right hon. Lady for that reply, may I ask whethe7 she is not aware that the cost of reducing or even abolishing altogether the entitlement age would be appreciably 1674 less than the surplus in the Insurance Fund as at the last quinquennial date? Will she view this suggestion sympathetically, as the present position causes a great deal of hardship to widows?
§ Miss HerbisonThe position of widows under our National Insurance Scheme is, in general, full of anomalies and in our general review the Government will certainly regard them as sympathetically as possible. However, I should not like the hon. Gentleman to think that the Insurance Fund is there only for widows. What is to be done in the next five years has been made quite clear.
§ Mr. TileyDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the legislation enacted a year ago with regard to widows—which we all welcome—has made the position more unfair as it affects widows generally and that there is now a greater need for a speedy review of their position?
§ Miss HerbisonIt is true that we helped the 10s. widow considerably last year and I think that that was generally welcomed in the country. The position of the other widows and the anomalies involved are included in the Government's general review.