§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health the number of persons affected by the application of the Blind Persons Act, 1920; the number at present employed in the various workshops; the average wages paid; and the number of blind persons in receipt of the old age pension?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total number of known blind persons in England and Wales on 30th June, 1923, was 36,518. The number employed specifically in workshops is, approxi-1356W mately, 2,090. The average wage, that is the wage earned at the trade union or other standard piece-work rates, is, approximately, 20s. a week, but, in addition to the wage actually so earned, augmentation is in all cases paid to blind workers. The number of blind persons between 50 and 70 years of age who were in receipt of pensions under Section 1 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, was 11,525 on 31st December last.