24. Tapsellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing the improvement in young widows' pensions proposed in the National Superannuation and Social Insurance Bill in April 1970.
§ Mr. EnnalsIt is estimated that when the improvements in widows' pensions relating to the age 50 and three-year marriage rules are introduced the annual cost will be of the order of £13 million.
§ Mr. TapsellAssuming that the Bill becomes law, will the hon. Member give an assurance that the widely welcomed provisions to help widows will be effective before 1972 or 1973?
§ Mr. EnnalsOne cannot expect them to be brought in before the scheme states. The hon. Member will understand that when this new procedure applies it will cover about 100,000 existing widows who have been denied any widows' pension because they were between the ages of 40 and 50 when widowed. That will itself involve a substantial cost, in sweeping in those who have been excluded by previous regulations.