§ MR. J. DEVLINTo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can furnish any information with regard to the number of registered friendly societies paying old-age pensions to members, 923 the number of members in receipt of such pensions, the age limit in each case, and the amount of the pension.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) There are seventy-five registered friendly societies who are known to provide for the grant of superannuation benefits, and of these societies 283,071 members subscribe for superannuation benefits. The registry of friendly societies has no information as to the number of members of such societies who are actually in receipt of pensions, or the amount of the pensions drawn. The age limit varies in different cases, but the most general age at which pensions begin to be payable appears to be sixty-five.