§ 27. Mr. KELLY (for Mr. WHITELEY)asked the Minister of Health if he will give the estimated number of insured persons under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is estimated that the total number of insured persons in Great Britain on 31st December, 1928, was 17,250,000. That figure includes 790,000 persons who, having been insured on attaining the age at which contributions cease to be payable, remain insured persons for life.
§ 28. Mr. KELLY (for Mr. WHITELEY)asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of widows who have ceased to draw pensions on account of the youngest child having reached the age of 14, or 16 in cases where the child remained at school until 16 years of age?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer the hon. Member to the reply on 19th 1860 February, 1929, to a question by the hon. Member for Battersea South and would point out that, in the case of the widow of a man who died before the commencement of the Act, the widow's pension ceases on the youngest child attaining the age of 14½, although the allowance for the child continues, if he remains at school, up to the age of 16.
§ 29. Mr. KELLY (for Mr. WHITELEY)asked the Minister of Health the number of appeals against the decision of the Ministry of Health by applicants for, or recipients of, old age pensions, widows' pensions, children's allowances, and orphans' pensions, respectively, stating the number of successful appeals, repectively?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe following particulars relate to England and Wales. Up to 2nd March, 1929, there were 7,370 appeals in the case of claims for widows' and orphans' pensions and children's allowances, 10,110 appeals in the case of claims for old age pensions between the ages of 65 and 70, and 2,413 in the case of claims for old age pensions at the age of 70, of which 715, 1,422, and 527, respectively, were successful. Records have not been kept under the separate headings of widows, children and orphans.