§ 29. Mr. Brooksasked the Minister of Social Security if she will now restore the position whereby women qualify for pension if widowed at the age of 45 or over.
§ Mr. PentlandAge 50 has always been the age test for widow's pension under the National Insurance Act for a childless widow. I would refer my hon. Friend to the Written Reply my right hon. Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Oakes) on 26th June. —[Vol. 749, c. 3.]
§ Mr. BrooksWould not the moment when emergency help is about to be given to large families be a very fitting time for relieving the burden on women of middle age who are bereaved and who are denied the consolations of family life?
§ Mr. PentlandI have a good deal of sympathy with what my hon. Friend says, but, as my right hon. Friend and I have said on more than one occasion, widows' benefits are one of the issues which we are considering in the review.