§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £1,980,000 be granted to His Majesty defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1945, for the payment of Supplementary Pensions to certain persons in receipt of Old Age Pensions or Widows' Pensions.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)This Supplementary Estimate arises from the fact that more people have been receiving pensions. The number who received pensions throughout the year ending 31st March, 1945, was originally estimated as 1,300,000 and the number is now estimated to be 1,364,000. The number of pensioners was estimated as 1,520,000 and is now estimated as 1,595,000. That made an extra sum of £2,664,000 but £644,000 was an over-estimate of the pensions which were increased by the Regulations that came into force on 17th January, 1944. It was thought that the average payment would amount to about 16s. 2d. the former payment being 13s. 9d. and it has been found that the average is about 16s. and, therefore, the sum of £2,664,000 is thereby reduced by £664,000. In addition, there is the appropriation in aid in respect of refunds of over payments and recoveries of £20,000, and that brings the figure to £1,980,000.
§ Sir Herbert Williams (Croydon South)Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell me how many persons there are in receipt of supplementary pensions?
§ Miss HorsbrughI did say, but perhaps I did not make it quite clear. The number of pensions is estimated to cover 1,595,000 pensioners.
§ Question put, and agreed to.