HC Deb 01 December 1969 vol 792 c202W
87. Mr. Donald Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that a woman who is widowed when under 50 years of age but whose husband at that time was over 65 years of age and had been drawing retirement pension for a considerable period of time is not eligible for a pension; and if he will take steps to remedy this situation.

Mr. Ennals

The Government have published their proposals for replacing the unsatisfactory age 50 rule by something better. Under the new scheme it is proposed that widows between the ages of 40 and 50 when their husbands die, or their children reach the age of 19 should receive a scaled down pension.