§ Mrs. Haymanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many widowed mothers with children under the age of 16 years and only child over the age of 16 years receive (a) full widowed mother's allowance, (b) reduced widowed mother's allowance, and (c) no widowed mother's allowance, and in categories (b) and (c) for what reason; and how many in each category receive as well some supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. Orme:In November 1977. the latest date for which figures are available, 104,000 widows were receiving widowed mother's allowance at the full rate and 21,000 at a reduced rate. These figures include widows receiving only the personal rate of the allowance, as well as those receiving increases for children. In the case of those receiving increases for children, it is not possible to distinguish between those with children under 16 and over 16. No figures are available of widows not receiving the allowance.
The above figures include 4,700 widows receiving supplementary benefit but it is not possible to say how many of those receive widowed mother's allowance at a reduced rate. 900 widows with dependent children not entitled to widowed mother's allowance were receiving supplementary benefit.
Widowed mother's allowance is not paid where the contribution conditions on the husband's insurance record are not satisfied. It is also not paid where the widow is living with a man as his wife.