13. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce legislation to provide a pension for widowers who have to give up employment to look after their young children.
Mr. MitchellIs the Minister aware that a large number of widowers who have had to give up their jobs to look after their young children are forced to go on supplementary benefit? Does he accept equality for men and women? Will he refer the matter to the Equal Opportunities Commission?
§ Mr. RossiI do not disagree with the principle of equality for widowers and widows. The resources are not available to implement a change. An equivalent scheme for widowers would cost about £110 million a year at November 1981 benefit rates. We must content ourselves with leaving widowers to apply for supplementary benefit. They have additional help from the one-parent benefit.
§ Mr. NewensDoes the Minister recognise that it is preferable for children to remain at home when they have lost their mother? Does he accept that some widowers are forced to make other arrangements for their children and to put them in care or board them out? Does he agree that eventually that results in greater expenditure? Will he look at the matter again?
§ Mr. RossiOf course I agree that it is far better for children to be treated in the way that the hon. Gentleman suggests. The widower can do part-time work and take advantage of the beneficial rates of family income supplement that apply to a one-parent family. He can make other arrangements for his children when he has to go to work.