§ Mr. Pinkasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many widows there are in each of the age groups 35–40, 40–45, and 45–50 years; how many widows aged 50 to 60 years are not eligible for widows' pensions; and how many of these widows, in each age group, will be eligible for assistance under the new Social Security Bill.
§ Mr. PentlandIt is estimated that there are some 20,000 widows aged 35–39, 45,000 aged 40–44 and 75,000 aged 45–49. The number of widows aged 50–59 is estimated at 390,000, of whom 25,000 are not eligible for widows' benefits.
About 10,000 widows under the age of 60 not receiving widows' benefits are receiving National Assistance; these widows will be entitled to non-contributory benefit under the Ministry of Social Security Bill. The number of other widows who will qualify for such benefit cannot be estimated.