56. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what amount has been disbursed in pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1924, and the Blind Persons Act, since 4th January, 1926, and the number of persons at present in receipt of pension under these Acts?
Mr. SAMUELThe amount disbursed for pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908–1924 (including pensions granted by virtue of the Act of 1925), and the Blind Persons Act, 1920, for the period 1st January, 1926, to 30th September, 1928, is approximately £86,600,000. The number of persons (including blind persons) receiving pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 19081924, on the last Friday in September, 1928, was 1,320,106. This figure includes 330,568 pensions payable by virtue of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, to persons over the age of seventy.