HC Deb 24 July 1967 vol 751 c38
23. Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Social Security what research she proposes to conduct to investigate the financial conditions experienced by young widows.

The Minister of Social Security (Miss Margaret Herbison)

One of the proposals being considered as part of my Department's research planning is an investigation into the employment prospects of widows. It is too early to say when this inquiry could be put in hand.

Mr. Brooks

I thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer. Will she bear in mind that getting information from her Department about the precise details of this problem is like finding out the date of the next General Election? Will she undertake some co-ordinated research into this problem, perhaps in consultation with the universities?

Miss Herbison

That is certainly true in other respects, but much of the detailed information for which my hon. Friend asks would not help with the problems with which some widows are faced. It is because of this that I have picked out this one aspect as one which I should like to examine.