asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Stockport, North on 17 May, Official Report, c. 45, if invalidity allowance, where applicable, is payable in addition to a basic component equal to the standard rate of category A retirement pension for which a widow qualifies by virtue of aggregating her entitlement to invalidity pension and widows' pension; and if he will make a statement.

I can confirm that an invalidity allowance, where applicable, is payable in addition to the amount of benefit ascertained under the arrangements I described in my reply to the hon. Member on 17 May.—[Vol. 24, c. 45.]