§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) why Mrs. Marion Ing of 1 Chilton close, Acklam, Middlesbrough, receives £16.07 per week by way of a widow's pension; and if he will make a statement about Government policy relating to pensions for widows in this position;
(2) why a letter to him dated 3 March about Mrs. Marion trig of 1 Chilton close, Middlesbrough, has not yet received a reply.
§ Mr. Peter LloydA letter has been sent to my hon. Friend today which explains how Mrs. Ing's widow's pension has been calculated.
Entitlement to widows' benefit for women widowed after 10 April 1988 is determined by the changes introduced at that time. These changes reflected the changing employment patterns amongst widows and have resulted in a scheme which is better targeted and overall more equitable.