Clause 2. — (Widows' Benefit.)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 9 May 1951.

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Photo of Mr Jo Grimond Mr Jo Grimond , Orkney and Shetland 12:00, 9 May 1951

I only rise to support in a very few brief remarks the two hon. Ladies who have spoken. I very much hope that the Minister will be able to accept this Amendment, because I feel that it is very necessary to encourage widowed mothers to work. In the majority of cases, they have to work to support their families, and the particular bracket between £2 and £3 is, as has been said, a very important one for them.

If I read the Bill aright, there is at present no incentive for a woman to go out to work if she is going to earn over 40s. and less than 70s. a week. That is something which ought to be rectified. Even if the Minister feels unable to accept this particular form of Amendment, perhaps she might consider reducing the reduction, that is to say, instead of reducing the pension by the same amount as that earned by the widowed mother she might consider reducing it by only a proportion of that amount.