HC Deb 30 June 1932 vol 267 cc1995-6
20. Mr. BATEY

asked the Minister of Health the separate amounts paid by the employers, the employés, and the Treasury to the Widows, Orphans, and Old Age Contributory Pensions Fund for the year 1931 and also the balance at the end of the year?

Sir H. YOUNG

The contributions paid under the Widows, Orphans, and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts for the year ended 31st March, 1932, amounted to £22,880,000, of which the portions payable by the employers and employés are estimated to be £11,790,000 and £11,090,000 respectively. The amount paid from the Exchequer was £10,000,000. The accumulated funds in hand at the end of the year amounted to £40,500,000.

Mr. BATEY

In view of the fact that there is a balance of £40,000,000 in hand, does the Minister consider that he is justified in robbing unemployed people of their pension rights?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must not make a statement of that kind in a question.