§ Mr. L. M. Leverasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether, in view of the fact that the basic rate of war widow's pension is still only 66s. a week and barely more than the levels of National Assistance for a single person after allowing for reasonable rent, he will now increase the rate of war widow's pension so that this very special category of war pensioner may share in the country's increasing prosperity.
Mr. VaneThe basic rate of war widow's pension, which was increased to 66s. a week in January, 1958, is considerably above the level of widows' pensions provided under the social service schemes generally. In the case of elderly war widows it is supplemented by the additional allowance introduced in June, 1959, and as the hon. Member may be aware 15s. of it is now disregarded for National Assistance purposes. This pension is kept under constant review.
§ Mr. L. M. Leverasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the numbers of war widows at present receiving a rent allowance, and the numbers of such widows who qualify for the rent allowance at the maximum permissible rate of 25s. a week.