§ 58. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will institute an inquiry into pension benefits for widows and widowed mothers.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe widows' benefits of the National Insurance scheme were fully reviewed in 1956 by the National Insurance Advisory Committee, and following its recommendations a number of changes were made which came into effect between August, 1956, and February, 1957. I do not think a fresh formal inquiry would be helpful at present.
§ 65. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what weekly amount is deducted from the allowance of a widowed mother, having three children of school age, who accepts employment bringing her £7 10s per week.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterOn the assumption that her allowable expenses did not exceed 30s. a week, 50s. would be deducted from her widowed mother's allowance of £4 14s. Od. The deduction would be less if the expenses exceeded 30s.
§ 67. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to what amount the 10s. widow's pension would have to be raised to represent the same purchasing power as when originally introduced.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe Answer is 19s. 10d., measured since January, 1926, by the Cost of Living Index and the Retail Prices Index.