asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why child benefit is being deducted from widowed mothers' pensions ; and if he will make a statement.

It is easier, administratively, to pay child benefit for all children and fix the rates of dependency benefit payable to social security beneficiaries accordingly, than to make certain groups of people ineligible for child benefit. Widows and other long-term beneficiaries do, of course, receive, in total, a much higher rate of benefit for their children than do persons who receive child benefit alone. I am writing to the hon. Member about the individual case which he has brought to my attention.