§ 11. Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is the Government's intention in the forthcoming pensions legislation to pay widows' pensions at 100 per cent. of the rate of pension of the deceased husband.
§ Mr. O'MalleyI refer the hon. Gentleman to the proposals contained in the Government's White Paper "Better Pensions", Cmnd. 5713.
§ Mr. McCrindleIs the Minister aware that the usual practice in occupational pension schemes is to pay the widow 50 per cent. of the pension which the deceased would have obtained had he lived to that time? Will he accept that in many cases that would be beneficial to the widow rather than the 100 per cent. of the pension which the deceased has actually earned to the date of death, which I understand to be the Government's proposal? Will the Minister consider the possibility of extending to a widow in these circumstances a choice between the two, whichever would be the more beneficial to her?
§ Mr. O'MalleyFirst, I must point out that the proposals for widows in the White Paper "Better Pensions" mark a historic improvement on anything that has gone before. Second, to answer the hon. Gentleman directly, who says that occupational pension schemes generally provide enhancement for widow's benefit, the fact is that in the private sector more than half of those belonging to occupational pensions schemes have no widowhood cover of any kind, although in some occupational pension schemes there is a degree of enhancement. I believe that with our White Paper proposals we shall provide vastly improved benefits for the generality of widows. I should, of course, be prepared to consider any proposals that may be put forward at an appropriate stage during the discussion of any Bill that comes before the House, or, indeed, if the hon. Gentleman writes to me.