§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of total social security expenditure direct payment of widow's benefit (widow's allowance, widowed mother's allowance, and widow's pension) represented in each year since 1979.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information requested is as follows:
Year Widows' benefits* as a percentage of all social security benefit expenditure 1979–80 3.0 1980–81 2.8 1981–82 2.5 1982–83 2.3 1983–84 2.3 *Widow's allowance, widowed mother's allowance and widow's pension.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the level of benefit payment of widow's allowance, widowed mother's allowance, and widow's pension in real terms compared to five years ago.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information requested is as follows:
53W
November1978 rate£ Equivalent value at November 1983 prices£ November 1983 rate£ Widows allowance 27.30 46.09 47.65
November 1978 rate £ Equivalent value at November prices £ November 1983 rate £ Widowed mothers allowance (one child) 25.85 43.65 41.65 Widows pension 19.50 32.92 34.05