§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many widows pay reduced rate contributions; whether entitlement to reduced rate in the case of widows is confined to those who are entitled to widows benefit under the national insurance scheme; and whether widows benefit is payable regardless of the level of earnings or other income.
§ Mr. RossiProvisional figures—excluding members of Her Majesty's forces—show that 156,000 widows paid202W reduced rate contributions in 1980–81. Entitlement to continue to pay at the reduced rate after an initial period is confined to widows who are entitled to widow's benefit or an industrial or war widow's pension at least equal to the standard rate of basic national insurance widow's pension. Widow's benefit is payable regardless of the level of earnings or other income.