asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an estimate of the total number of unmarried women of 55 years of age and over and also of 60 years of age and over, and the proportion in each class who are industrially employed?

The figures for which my hon. Friend asks are as follow:—

	Approximately
Single women aged 55 and over	760,000
Widowed women aged 55 and over	1,680,000
Single women aged 60 and over	560,000
Widowed women aged 60 and over	1,430,000

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service that about 1 in 7 of those aged 55 and over and 1 in 10 of those aged 60 and over are industrially employed.