asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance from what date, when the proposed scheme is introduced, the recommendations of the Advisory Council with regard to dependent children will become operative.

If, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring to the proposals of the National Insurance Advisory Committee affecting widows with children, I cannot, at present, state the date on which these provisions will become operative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman at least give an assurance that the date in regard to dependent children will not be later than 27th February, 1956, the date when he made his announcement?

I am not sure whether the hon. Member has in mind the qualifications or the date from which payment operates. It is very unusual to make the date of payment in any part of the National Insurance Scheme retrospective.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say something about the important question of qualification?

The position I understand is that at the time—whenever it may be—when the new scheme comes into operation, the qualification will turn on the number of children then eligible and the improved rate of benefit will operate from some such date.