NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE AND PENSIONS

HC Deb 24 February 1944 vol 397 cc992-3W

Mr. Leach

asked the Minister of Health what is the present number of unmarried women between the ages of 55 and 60 years who contribute to National Insurance.

Mr. Willink

I regret that, owing to the reduction in the statistics kept under war-time conditions, figures are not available of the number of single women in a particular age group who are contributor, under the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Acts at the present time.

Mr. Leach

asked the Minister of Health how many unmarried women there are in the age group 60 to 70 years ineligible for pension, or the nearest estimate of that number which he can give.

Mr. Willink

Precise information is not available, but it is estimated that at the present time there are about 375,000 single women in Great Britain aged between 60 and 70 years, of whom roughly 35 per cent. are in receipt of pensions under the Contributory Pensions Acts.