§ MR. BOTTOMLEY (Hackney, S.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state approximately what annual sum would be required to provide a pension of 5s. per week for every person in the United Kingdom over the age of sixty-five years.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH Fifeshire,) E.The number of persons above sixty-five years of age enumerated in the 1901 Census was 2,018,716. To provide them 776 with a pension of 5s. a week would, therefore, require over £26,225,000.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman circulate for the information of Members what has been done in regard to this Question in the Australian Colonies and New Zealand?
§ MR. ASQUITHI will consider that.