§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will introduce measures to ensure that women in polygamous marriages are not denied widow's benefits; and if she will estimate the cost to public funds of paying benefit. [10292]
§ Mr. DenhamThe concept of marriage under British law is fundamentally monogamous. It would, therefore be inappropriate to pay widow's benefit to widows who, at the time of the death of their husbands, were in a polygamous marriage.
583WInformation is not available on the cost to public funds of paying benefit in all such cases.