§ 40. Mr. FORRESTasked the Minister of Labour the number of men over 60 to whom uncovenanted benefit has been refused within the last six months on the ground that they have not proved they are fitted to do normally insurable work?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI regret that this figure is not available.
§ 41. Mr. FORRESTasked the Minister of Labour the number of men between 60 and 65 in receipt of uncovenanted benefit; and whether any estimate exists as to the number of such men who being insured, are expected to draw the old age pension at 65?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI regret that the figure asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the second part of the question, all I can do is to refer the hon. Member to the Report of the Government Actuary on the Financial Provisions of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill (Cmd. 2406). In paragraph 32 of that Report it is estimated that when these pensions at 65 commence in January, 1928, some 300,000 of the persons insured under the unemployment insurance scheme will be over the age of 65, and that on present experience the average weekly number unemployed at these ages will then be about 65,000. The hon. Member will realise that these figures relate to all insured persons over the age of 65, and not merely to those reaching the age of 65 at a particular date.