§ 71. Mr. Worsleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the cost of increasing the widows' dependency allowance so that widows benefit fully from the recent increases in family allowances.
§ Mr. SwinglerThe cost to the National Insurance Fund of increasing by 3s. the allowances for second and subsequent children of widowed mothers would be about £500 000 a year.
226W
§ Mr. Deanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to increase the widowed mothers' allowance so that widowed mothers benefit from the recent increase in family allowance.
§ Mr. SwinglerI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on this subject earlier today.
§ Mr. Worsleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make arrangements for the payment of widows' dependency allowance for children in care directly to the authority looking after the children.
§ Mr. SwinglerThere are arguments for and against a general provision of the kind suggested. I am not at present convinced of the need for a change but the issues involved are being considered.