§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has following his meeting with the National Association of Widows to make beneficial changes to the financial rules affecting widows in particular.
§ Dr. GilbertI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Mitchell) on 11th July about the meeting I had with the National Association of Widows on 26th June. My right hon. Friend has no immediate proposals affecting the tax position of widows, who will, however, be receiving the benefit of the substantial increase in pensions this month. Those widows with children will, of course, benefit from the increase we have made in the additional personal allowance from £130 to £180.