asked the Minister of National Insurance the estimated number of women between the ages of 54–60 years now contributing to National Insurance, differentiating between spinsters, married women and widows.

It is estimated very approximately that contributors in this age group number about 200,000 single women and 250,000 married women and widows.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that 200,000 of the women mentioned in the first part of the Question are still looking hopefully to him to grant their claims for a retiring pension at 55 years of age?

Single women are provided with a retiring pension at the age of 60. The reason we cannot accept the lower age has been made clear more than once in this House.