Mr. B. Taylorasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the number of widows receiving the 20s. per week pension under the Industrial Injuries Act; and what would he the cost to the fund of increasing the pension by 20s. per week.
§ Lieut.-Commander MaydonThere are about 2,300 such widows; the current cost would be about £125,000 a year.
§ Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be tie initial extra cost to the National Insurance Scheme if all widows at the age of 50 years or over now disqualified from receiving a widow's pension because they have no dependent children were to be paid such a pension.
§ Mrs. ThatcherAbout £12 million a year.