NUMBER OF PENSIONERS.

HC Deb 14 February 1924 vol 169 cc980-1

4. Mr. GILBERT

asked the Minister of Pensions the present number of pensioners—male, female, and children— for which his Department is responsible; how the present numbers compare with the total number of pensioners a year ago; what has been the percentage of reduction; and what is the cause of the difference

Mr. ROBERTS

There are, approximately, 2,266,000 beneficiaries as compared with 2,572,000 a year ago, a. reduction of about 12 per cent. The main reasons for this reduction are recovery of pensioners, cessation of allowances on children attaining the age of 16, remarriage of female pensioners and deaths.