§ 9. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of old age pensions payable in Ireland on the last Friday of March, 1914, and on the last Friday of March, 1915, respectively?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe number of old age pensions payable in Ireland on the last Friday in March, 1914, was 202,202, and on the last Friday of March, 1915, 198,938.
§ 32. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the increase of £379,000 in the Old Age Pensions Estimates for 1915–16 over the amount of the pensions for 1914–15 is based on an anticipated increase in the number of old age pensioners in Great Britain only; and whether the number of old age pensioners in Ireland is estimated to be less, and, if so, by how many, for the year ending 31st March, 1916, than in the year ending 31st March, 1915?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe increase of £379,000 in the Old Age Pensions Estimate for 1915–16 is to the extent of £200,000 due to the fact that fifty-three weeks' pension will become payable during the year. It is anticipated that the number of pensioners in Great Britain will increase, but that the number of pensioners in Ireland on 31st March, 1916, will be somewhat less than the number on 31st March, 1915, but no trustworthy estimate has been or can be formed.