§ 43. Mr. Goodladasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will reconsider her decision not to introduce the non-contributory invalidity pension for disabled housewives until 1977–78.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAs I explained to the House during the debate on the Social Security Pensions Bill on 11th June—[Vol. 893, c. 440–4]—the date from which it will prove possible to extend the non-contributory invalidity pension to married women housewives will depend on a variety of factors, not least the need to phase in the additional work involved in this and the many other improvements which are under way. My immediate concern is to devise fair and workable arrangements for the housewives' benefit. As the hon. Member will be aware from my reply to the hon. Lady the Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) on 28th October—[Vol. 898, c.427]—progress is being made in this direction with help from both the Disablement Income Group and the Parliamentary All-Party Disablement Group.