HC Deb 07 June 1920 vol 130 c61W
Major BARNES

asked the Minister of Health what the annual cost would be if a pension were provided for every person of 60 years of age who is totally unable in consequence of ill-health to work?

Mr. BALDWIN

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

Major BARNES

asked the Minister of Health what the annual cost would be if, in the calculation of the yearly value of property owned by the claimant of an old age pension, the actual annual yield of the property were reckoned instead of the fictitious yearly value calculated as required by the Act of 1919?

Mr. BALDWIN

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

Major H. BARNES

asked the Mnister of Health what the annual cost would be if the present scale of old age pensions were augmented by the addition of a bonus to compensate for the increase in the cost of living since 1st January last, the amount of such bonus to be ascertained on 1st July and 1st January in each year?

Mr. BALDWIN

It is impossible to frame an estimate of the annual cost of any system of bonus additions to old age pensions which would rise or fall according to the fluctuations in the cost of living, as it is, of course, impossible to forecast what these fluctuations will be.