asked the Minister for Social Welfare what would be the cost of abolishing the means test for non-contributory widows' pensions; and whether the Government propose to abolish this means test.

It is estimated that the cost of abolishing the means test for widows' and orphans' non-contributory pensions would be of the order of £1,260,000 per annum.

Abolition of the means test would not confer any benefit on widows with no means or very little means, as they already qualify for the full rate of pension. Accordingly it is not proposed to introduce legislation for the purpose of abolishing this means test.