HC Deb 26 March 1929 vol 226 cc2234-5
8. Mr. WESTWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of applications for widows', children's, and orphans' pensions disallowed, since the commencement of the Act, in Scotland, giving the principal reasons for disallowance?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND

As the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Up to the 21st March, 1928, the number of applications for widows' pensions, including allowances for dependent children, under the Contributory Pensions Act, that had been refused in Scotland was 8,145, and the corresponding number in respect of orphans' pensions was 439. The principal reasons for disallowance of the widows' applications were that the statutory conditions were not satisfied in 4,755 cases owing to the absence of dependent children; in 2,615 cases owing to the deceased husband not having been insured or normally engaged in an insurable occupation at the time of death; and in the majority of the remaining 775 cases because the applicant had remarried or was already in receipt of a service dependant's pension. The applications for orphans' pensions were refused principally on the ground that the statutory conditions as to insurance qualification were not satisfied.

35. Mr. WHITELEY

asked the Minister of Health the number of voluntary contributors, men and women, respectively, stating how many of these became voluntary contributors since the commencement of the Act?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)

The number of voluntary contributors for National Health and Pensions Insurance in England and Wales on 31st December, 1928, is estimated at:

  • 210,000 men.
  • 30,000 women.
Of these it is estimated that some 180,000 men and 22,000 women became voluntary contributors since the commencement of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act.

Mr. MACLEAN

Do these figures include the figures for Scotland or are they confined to England and Wales?

Sir K. WOOD

I have just stated that they are confined to England and Wales.

36. Mr. WHITELEY

asked the Minister of Health the cost of administration of pensions under the Widows', Orphans, and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act by post offices and the Ministry of Health, respectively?

Sir K. WOOD

The approximate cost of administration in England and Wales for the year ending 31st March, 1929, chargeable to the Pensions Account is:

  • £360,000 Post Office.
  • £418,000 Ministry of Health.
  • £86,000 Other Government Departments.
These amounts are inclusive of the cost of administration of pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts paid by virtue of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act.