§ 17. Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Pensions how many persons were in receipt of perpetual pensions; the total annual amount of such pensions; and the average amount received by each pensioner for the years 1913 and 1922, respectively?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Major Boyd-Carpenter)The hon. Member will find the information he requires on page 45 of the Finance Accounts for 1912–13 and on page 44 of the Finance Accounts 1921–22.
§ Mr. RILEYHas the practice of creating perpetual pensions been discontinued, and, if not, will the hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Government not to set an example to any future Government by creating any such pensions in this Parliament?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI do not think I ought to be called upon to answer that question without notice, but I think 2732 I am right in saying that the practice of granting perpetual pensions is entirely abolished and has been abolished for a good many years.
§ 18. Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Pensions what was the number of persons receiving pensions of over £500 per annum; the total annual amount of such pensions; and the average amount received by each pensioner for the years 1913 and 1923, respectively?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI assume that the hon. Member refers to Civil Service pensions. I regret that no statistics are available as to the number of pensions falling within any particular limits, and I do not consider that the labour and expense involved in obtaining the information asked for would be justified.