§ Mrs. MaddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for ensuring the equal treatment of men and women with a dependent spouse in their eligibility for benefits.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotOur proposals for ensuring that married couples are treated equally in the state pension scheme are set out in the White Paper, "Equality in State Pension Age", Cm 2420, a copy of which is in the Library. The legislation needed to implement these proposals is included in the Pensions Bill. Dependency increases payable with other benefits are already available on an equal basis.