Widows

Oral Answers to Questions — Pensions and National Insurance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 June 1959.

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Photo of Mrs Lena Jeger Mrs Lena Jeger , Holborn and St Pancras South 12:00, 15 June 1959

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many widows over 50 years of age are now receiving pensions of 10s. a week.

Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames

About 80,000 widows between 50 and 60 have widows' basic pensions of 10s. a week, and another 34,000 over 60 have contributory old age pensions of the same amount. Most of these in the latter category will become eligible for the National Insurance retirement pension when they retire from regular work.

Photo of Mrs Lena Jeger Mrs Lena Jeger , Holborn and St Pancras South

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will introduce legislation to abolish the category of 10s. widow and make such widows, over 50 years of age, eligible for the normal widow's pension.

Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames

No, Sir. This pension is payable only in respect of an old right preserved when the National Insurance Bill came into operation. To carry out the hon. Lady's suggestion would increase the disparity which already exists between these widows and those in identical circumstances who receive no pension because their only rights are under the present Act.

Photo of Mrs Lena Jeger Mrs Lena Jeger , Holborn and St Pancras South

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what representations he has received on this matter? Is he aware that there is growing public feeling that it is unfair to continue to penalise these women purely because their husbands died under the wrong Act of Parliament, their husbands having paid the proper insurance contributions in force during their lifetime?

Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames

I think the hon. Lady completely misunderstands the position, which is that most of these ladies receive this small pension in circumstances otherwise identical with those in which other widows receive no pension at all.

Photo of Mrs Lena Jeger Mrs Lena Jeger , Holborn and St Pancras South

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply and his inaccuracy in suggesting that all widows over 50 get only 10s. a week pension, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.