§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Social Security why the allowance for dependent children ceases if a widow remarries; and if she will introduce legislation to continue such payments while the child or children remain dependant.
§ Miss HerbisonUnder the National Insurance scheme the general principle has always been that widows' benefits should cease when the widow marries again. However, this is a matter which will be borne in mind in the course of our review of social security.
§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Social Security (1) what is the number of dependent children whose fathers are on National Assistance through being ill or receiving industrial injury benefit in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the County of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland.
(2) what is the number of dependent children whose fathers receive unemployment benefit in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the county of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland;
(3) what is the number of dependent children whose fathers' unemployment benefit has been stopped or has run out in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the county of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland;
(4) what is the number of dependent children in families who receive benefits below National Assistance Board scales and cannot apply because of the wage 6W stop ruling in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the county of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland;
(5) what is the number of children in families without fathers, where the mother is widowed, divorced, separated or unmarried, who are dependent on National Assistance in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the county of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland.
§ Miss HerbisonI regret that the information requested is not available. I am writing to my hon. Friend to explain why this is so.