§ Mr. E. BROWNasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons estimated to be disqualified from receiving an old age pension at 70 years of age because of the means disqualification, and the estimated cost of abolishing it for all persons over 70 in Scotland?
Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENOEThe estimated number of persons in Great Britain entirely disqualified for an old age pension by reason of the means limit is roughly 450,000. In addition about 25,000 persons are in receipt of reduced pensions. Assuming that claims are made by all these people, the total cost of paying the full pension in these cases is estimated at from £12 to £12½ millions, growing by about £300,000 a year. Separate figures for England and Wales and Scotland are not available.