asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the financial position of the large number of widows who do not qualify for pensions because they were under 40 years when they were widowed, he will bring forward legislation to extend pension entitlements to this group.

No. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the present arrangements are satisfactory. A widow who is under 40 when her husband dies, and who has no dependent children, does not qualify for a national insurance widow's pension because she normally has the same opportunities of supporting herself as a single person of the same age.