§ Mr. William Priceasked the Minister of Social Security when she intends to raise the 30s. widows' pension.
§ Mr. PentlandThe poorest of these widows, those receiving supplementary benefit with the 30s. pension, should benefit from the proposals to improve supplementary benefit rates in the autumn. My right hon. Friend has no further statement to make.
§ Mr. William Priceasked the Minister of Social Security what estimate she has made of the cost of paying the full pension to widows at the age of 45 rather than 50.
§ Mr. PentlandThe cost to the National Insurance Fund would be about £13 million a year.
§ Mr. William Priceasked the Minister of Social Security whether she will state her estimate of the number of widows under the age of 50 in receipt of supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. PentlandExact figures are not available but the number is about 25,000 of whom about 11,000 will also be receiving a widowed mother's allowance.