§ 66. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that widows who receive a pension of 10s. weekly have to pay half of this sum for an insurance stamp; and whether he will take steps to excuse them from their obligation to pay for this weekly stamp pending the Report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. MarplesMy right hon. Friend does not as at present advised think any special arrangements are called for on this point. Many of these widows are working for employers and he sees no reason why they should not pay a contribution in the normal way. Others are entitled to exception if their income does not exceed £104 a year.
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§ 67. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many separated widows are now receiving pensions under Article 28 of the Royal Warrant of 1949; and how many of them are getting less than they would have had if they had been eligible under Article 26.
§ Brigadier SmythIt is estimated that some 600 separated widows are receiving pensions under the 1939 war pensions Instruments, and that the great majority are getting less than the standard rates of widows' pensions.
§ Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what pension is payable under his regulations to the widow of a man deceased in consequence of service during the 1914–18 war in cases where the husband and wife were separated before the date of his death.
§ Brigadier SmythAn award of pension payable to such a widow is restricted to the amount which was due to her under a court order or was otherwise paid by her husband.