14 MAY 1948, Page 17

WIDOWS UNDER THE HEALTH ACT SIR, — I am wondering whether it

is yet generally known that the new National Insurance Act, so much publicised as bringing increased benefits for all, will, in fact, abolish one benefit granted in recent years and at present in operation, namely, the increased pension of 26s. a week for widows over sixty. All widows attaining this age on or after July 5th next will continue to receive indefinitely only 10s. a week as a " con- tributory old-age pension." This information has been given me both orally and in writing by local representatives of the Ministry concerned, to whom I had cause to enquire on my mother's behalf. Surely this retrograde step will cause great indignation, penalising as it will an ever- increasing number among the older members of the community and inevitably causing .great hardship.—Yours faithfully, JOAN M. YOULE.

West Winds, 52 Davenham Road, Formby, Liverpool.