§ Commander SOUTHBYasked the Minister of Health whether the Government will consider the alteration of the existing widows' pensions scheme in order to enable a woman to become eligible for a widow's pension by reason of her own contributions in cases where her husband is not a contributor to the pensions scheme; and, as regards the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, whether he will consider amending the Act in order to allow uninsured persons to become insured on equal terms with those already insured for State pensions?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAs regards the first part of the question, all relevant matters are being considered in connection with the amending Bill of which I have given notice, but I would remind the hon. Member that the contributions648W paid in respect of an insured woman are half those paid in respect of an insured man; as regards the second part of the question, this matter will come up for consideration on the general survey of the various national insurance and pension schemes.
§ Mr. E. BROWNasked the Minister of Health if any estimate has been made of the number of widows in England and Wales at present in need but not in receipt of pensions; and, if so, what is the total, together with the estimated cost of including them in the Pensions Act?
§ Mr. GREENWOODNo estimate has been made on this matter, and I am afraid that it is hardly capable of estimation but rather would involve an investigation of the material circumstances of all widows who claimed to fall within the class referred to.
§ Mr. E. BROWNasked the Minister of Health the estimated number of widows of insured persons in England and Wales who were over 50 years of age on 2nd January, 1926, or have since reached that age; how many such are in receipt of pensions; and what is the estimated cost of including the remainder?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI regret that the information asked for is not available.
§ Mr. E. BROWNasked the Minister of Health the number of widows of insured persons who have been refused pensions in England and Wales up to 30th June, 1929; and the estimated cost of including such widows within the Pensions Acts?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe number of claims for widows' pensions which were rejected up to 30th June last in England and Wales was 65,024, of which, however, 45,259 were claims by the widows of men who died before 4th January, 1926, and accordingly had paid no contributions under the scheme. It is net possible to say how many of these claimants were the widows of insured men and, therefore, the material is not available for making the estimate which the hon. Member desires.