§ Mr. Alportasked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in view of the increased cost of living, she will introduce legislation to amend Section 17 (3) of the National Insurance Act, 1946, in order to allow widows with dependent children to earn 45s. a week, instead of 30s. before suffering reduction of their 48W widowed mothers' allowance, or their widows' pension, in accordance with the terms of the Act; and whether she will make a similar amendment to Section 20 (5) to enable other women with dependants to earn 30s. a week, instead of 20s., while in receipt of a retirement pension.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo. If we were to ignore so substantial an amount of employment as the hon. Member suggests we should have to look again at the whole basis of the new widows' benefits under the National Insurance Act, which are designed primarily to help those who cannot support themselves by their earnings.