Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the Secretary to the Treasury what has been the average weekly number of persons in receipt of old age pensions during the first six months of the present year; what is the estimated cost of old age pensions during the present year; what is the estimated number of persons who would be in receipt of old age pensions if the age limit were reduced to 65; and what would be the estimated cost of the pensions for the present year on that basis?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe average weekly number of persons in receipt of old age pensions during the first six months of 1911 was 901,605. The estimated cost of old age pensions in 1911–12 is £12,350,000 (exclusive of expenses of administration). I have no information as to the last two parts of the question.