§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount per head of population distributed in 1923–24 in respect of service and kindred pensions, including the pensions of school teachers and police; and of war pensions?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe cost per head of population of Navy, Army, Civil Service, Police and Teachers' pensions was about 12s. 2d., and of war pensions and allowances (excluding cost of treatment), £1 6s. 4d.
§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what is the amount per head of population distributed in 1923–24 in respect of old age pensions; what was the number of persons in receipt of Civil Service pensions; the average pension paid; the maximum and minimum pension actually paid; and the total amount so paid?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe amount issued in 1923–24 in respect of the Vote for old age pensions was £23,245,000. Assuming a a population in Great Britain and Northern Ireland of 44,601,000, the charge per head would be about 10s. 5d. The number of Civil Service pensioners is 32,000, and the total amount of the pensions paid was approximately £4,200,000, giving an average pension of about £132. The largest pension in course of payment was £2,000: the smallest is believed to be 10s. 5d. (for short service, followed by service pensionable from other funds). In addition, the sum of £1,600,000 was expended in additional allowances and other lump sum gratuities under Section 2 of the Superannuation Act, 1909, Section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1859, and Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887.