HC Deb 03 July 1967 vol 749 cc179-80W
Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Social Security how many widows are now alive in England and Wales who, as a result of their husbands having died before they had themselves reached 50 years of age, did not qualify for pension at the time of their husbands' death.

Miss Herbison

I regret that the precise information requested is not available, but it is estimated that there are now about 40,000 widows under age 60 in Great Britain who qualify for no pension because their husbands died (or their children ceased to be dependent on them) before they reached 50 years of age, and a further 75,000 such widows qualify for the widow's basic pension of 30s. a week.

Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) what are the average earnings of those widows, now aged between 50 and 60 years of age and in employment, who did not qualify for pension through being under 50 years of age at the time of their husbands' death;

(2) what proportion of those women who were widowed before the age of 50 years of age, and who are still alive within the ranges 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 59 years of age, respectively, have subsequently remarried;

(3) how many women, widowed before 50 years of age and now aged 60 years of age and over, have not qualified for the full rate of retirement pension as a result of failure to pay an adequate number of contributions during the years of their widowhood;

(4) what proportion of the total number of women widowed before reaching 50 years of age during the 10-year period 1957–66, inclusive, died before reaching the age of 60; and what was the average number of years these deceased women had paid National Insurance contribu- tions following the deaths of their husbands.

Miss Herbison

I regret that the information requested is not available.

Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Social Security what advice she has given employers in both private and public industry to engage women widowed when under 50 years of age, whose entitlement to full retirement pension depends upon them paying an adequate number of National Insurance contributions.

Miss Herbison

None.