The ex gratia pension scheme to provide pensions for widows of male teachers on a non-contributory basis was introduced in 1969. It applies to widows of teachers where the deceased teacher had retired on pension or died in service before the introduction, from 23 July 1968, of the contributory scheme. Similar ex gratia schemes were introduced throughout the public service at that time. No corresponding ex-gratia scheme was introduced for the widowers of deceased female teachers in the public service nor was a contributory scheme introduced to provide benefits on the death of female public servants until the 1980s. I have requested my officials to review the operation of the ex gratia pension scheme and to communicate directly with the Deputy on the matter.