§ 29. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of National Insurance the estimated amount in the National Insurance proposals over and above contributions to be met by the taxpayer on death grants for the first 5, 10, 15 and 20 years, respectively, after the scheme comes into operation.
§ The Minister of National Insurance (Sir William Jowitt)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 12th December to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) from which he will see that it is estimated that in the first year the expenditure on death grants will fall short of the related contribution income by about £2,500,000, whilst in ten years' time, the expenditure will exceed the contributions by about £500,000 and in 20 years' time by about £4,500,000 a year. Under present conditions I do not think I should be justified in asking for figures to be calculated in greater detail.
§ Sir W. SmithersIn view of that answer, can my right hon. and learned Friend say what the real value of those grants will be; and can he give us an assurance that they will not be paid in depreciating currency?
§ Sir W. JowittIt will depend upon the whole trend of future events. I cannot prophesy what they will be.
§ Sir W. SmithersThen why raise false hopes?