§ 30. Mr. WALLHEADasked the Minister of Health what is the number of persons above 65 years of age who are in receipt of old age pensions; and what is the total cost per annum of these pensions?
§ Sir K. WOODThe following particulars relate to England and Wales:
On 31st December, 1928, the latest date for which the figures are available, 766,223 persons were in receipt of old age pensions under or by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925. Of these pensioners, 475,808 were between the ages of 65 and 70, and 290,415 were over the age of 70.
The cost per annum of providing pensions for 766,223 persons is approximately £19,922,000.
As regards persons over the age of 70 in receipt of pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts of 1908–24 independently of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, a question should be addressed to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.