§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total number of insurance companies carrying on business in the United Kingdom on 31st December, 1936; what was the total amount of their insurance funds at the end of their last financial year; and what were the total sums paid during the last financial year in respect of death claims, sickness benefit, and pensions or annuities, respectively?
Mr. StanleyOne hundred and two insurance companies carried on life assurance business within the United Kingdom during the year 1935, the latest for which full information is available. The total amount of the life assurance funds of these companies at the end of that year was £2,267,177,974, including an amount of £1,067,742,820 in respect of companies established outside the United Kingdom. The total amount of the claims paid or payable in the year in question on death or on maturity amounted to £138,341,205. This figure does not include death payments under employers' liability or personal accident policies, figures as to which2886W are not readily available. The total sums paid in the same year in respect of annuities amounted to £16,342,936. Separate particulars in respect of sickness benefit are not available.