§ 72. Mr. Donald Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many widows of retirement pensioners 167W were refused pensions in the years 1967 and 1968 by reason of the age barrier; and what were the resultant savings to public funds.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe precise information is not available. It is estimated that each year about 440 widows of men over pensionable age do not qualify for a succeeding benefit, following the widows allowance paid during the first 26 weeks of widowhood, because they are under age 50 and without children. The cost of paying pensions to these widows would be about £100,000 a year, assuming that they do not draw sickness or unemployment benefit under the special provisions giving such widows title to these benefits.