asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current estimated annual cost of extending to widows (a) the scheme of free electricity allowances and (b) free television licences; and the cost of granting double benefit to all widows for the first six months.
Written Answers. - Extension of Widows' Allowances.
437.
The estimated additional annual cost (a) of extending the scheme of free electricity allowances to all widows is £1,620,000, (b) of extending the scheme of free television licences to all widows is £843,000 and of granting double benefit to all widows for the first six months of widowhood is £1,700,000.