Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, rather than disbursing to various charities the balance of some £9 million (with resultant Treasury savings) arising from the underspend on the social services, they will now bring war widows into line with the normal female retirement age of 60, and improve by £2 per week (in addition to the normal cost of living increases) the age allowance for war widows over 65.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)The intention is to allocate the balance to charities broadly helping those who will lose out because of the error in the retail prices index. It is, moreover, a one-off sum which could not provide for the recurring costs of any improvements in the provisions for war widows. There will be no resultant Treasury savings.