§ 16. Mr. Scottasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will take steps to end the anomaly whereby a woman who is widowed for the second time cannot receive a widow's pension by virtue of her first husband's contributions to the National Insurance Scheme.
§ Mr. PentlandThis position is a consequence of the general principle under which National Insurance widows' benefits cease on remarriage.
§ Mr. ScottIs the hon. Gentleman aware that very few widows are in this unfortunate position and since, by definition, their misfortune usually verges on tragedy, coud not he find a way around the anomaly?
§ Mr. PentlandI could explain this matter at length, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that any deviation from the principle would involve much wider issues than those indicated by him today.
§ Mr. ScottIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.