§ 21. Mr. DUCKWORTHasked the Minister of Health the number of widows who are now receiving the widows' pension; the number of children in respect of whom allowances are being paid; and the number of orphans who are benefiting under the Act?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINOn the latest figures available the number of widows in England, Wales and Scotland in receipt of pensions is 130,062, and the number of awards in respect of orphans is 8,495. In view of the continued heavy pressure of current pensions work, it has not been possible to extract the figures of the number of children's allowances included in the widows' pensions and of the number of orphans covered by the awards, but I will send to the hon. Member the particulars asked for when they are available.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCould the right hon. Gentleman say whether those figures are not very much less than the estimated figure when the Bill was being discussed in this House? Can he explain why the applications are fewer than the number anticipated?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.
§ 26. Mr. FENBYasked the Minister of Health whether full instructions have been sent to Old Age Pensions Committees with regard to the operation of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925; and, if not, whether he will take immediate steps to send to such committees all necessary instructions?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 13th instant to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Peebles and Southern.