HC Deb 26 June 1975 vol 894 c203W
Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many widowed mothers in receipt of supplementary benefit in November 1974 and at the latest available date were not also in receipt of national insurance widow's benefit.

Mr. Meacher

As at November 1974, which is the latest available date, about 5,000.

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (a) how many widows were in receipt of widowed mother's allowance in November 1973, November 1974 and at the latest available date; (b) how many of these were also in receipt of supplementary benefit; and if she will express (b) as a percentage of (a).

Mr. Meacher

The information is as follows:

November November
1973 1974
(a) Widows in receipt of widowed mother's allowance 131,000 130,000
(b) Numbers receiving supplementary benefit 21,000 15,000
(b) As a percentage of (a) 15.8 11.4

The latest available information relates to November 1974.