§ 29. Mr. GILBERTasked the Minister of Pensions approximately the number of widows and children who are at present receiving pensions from his Department; and whether the numbers show an increase or decrease compared with the figures 12 months ago?
Mr. ROBERTSThe approximate number of widows of deceased officers and men now in receipt of pension is 161,000, as compared with 165,500 a year ago. The number of children of deceased officers and men for whom pensions or allowances are in payment is 323,000, as compared to 343,000 a year ago. The reduction is almost entirely due to re-marriages, deaths, and, in the case of children, to their attaining the age of 16.