§ Mr. EDGAR JONESasked the President of the Local Government Board the increase in rates since 1901 in each rating area in Wales, and the amount in relief of such rates that the payments for old age pensions are equivalent to?
§ Mr. BURNSThe number of rating areas comprised in Wales and Monmouthshire is over 1,400. The information desired by my hon. Friend as regards the increase of rates in each of these areas could only be obtained by the expenditure of an amount of time and trouble which I think would hardly be justified. In the whole of the union counties of Wales (including Monmouthshire) the amount of poor rates 1421W levied increased from £1,497,000 in the, year 1901–2, to £2,430,000 in the year 191011, which is the latest year for which the information can be given. I am unable to give the information asked for in the latter part of the question, but I understand that the cost of the old age pensions paid in Wales and Monmouthshire in the year 1911–12 is estimated at about half a million pounds.