§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Health the number of widows, the number of dependent children, and the number of orphans receiving pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act at the latest date for which figures are available; and the total amount paid since the beginning of the Act in 1926?
§ Sir K. WOODOn the 30th September last, the latest date for which these figures are available, 188,169 widows were receiving pensions, children's allowances were being paid for 246,949 children and orphans' pensions for 11,832 orphans. The amount paid to these beneficiaries since the beginning of the Act to 31st October last was £12,740,000, and the total amount, including payments to old-age pensioners, was £18,700,000.
§ Mr. GARDNERasked the Minister of Health if he will consider such modification of the Regulations of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1926, as will permit a person to receive the old age pension if he or she has been insured five years, though not immediately preceding the appointed day or reaching the age of 65, and is at the time of making the application an insured person?
2076W
§ Sir K. WOODThe provision referred to does not depend on Regulations, but is one of the statutory conditions for the receipt of an old age pension under the Act. My right hon. Friend has no power to modify the condition by Regulations.
§ Mr. PALINasked the Postmaster-General the cost incurred by the Post Office in connection with the administration of widows', orphans', and contributory old age pensions and non-contributory old age pensions?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe required information for the year ended the 31st March, 1927, is as follows:—
(1) Widows' and Orphans' and Contributory Old Age Pensions, £223,228.
(2) Non-contributory Old Age Pensions, £257,113.
Total, £480,341.
Contributory Old Age Pensions are included from 2nd July, 1926, only.
§ Mr. PALINasked the Minister of Health the total number of staff employed by the Ministry of Health in the administration of widows', orphans, and old age pensions under the Contributory Pensions Act, and the cost thereof; and the amount paid to approved societies for work rendered in connection with the widows' and orphans' pensions, and contributory old age pensions?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total staff at present employed in the administration of widows', orphans, and old age pensions under the Act of 1925 is 1,568, at an estimated cost of £345,000 for the financial year 1927–28. The amount paid to approved societies is at the rate of 9d. for each certificate of insurance furnished in connection with claims for pension.
§ Lieut.-Colonel THOMasked the Minister of Health the total amount paid in pensions and allowances under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act from 4th January, 1926, to 31st October, 1927?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total amount paid in the period specified, inclusive of old age pensions to persons aged 70 and over, payable by virtue of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act from 2nd July-1926, was approximately £18,700,000.
2077W
§ Mr. OLIVERasked the Minister of Health the number of widows entitled to pension at the commencement of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; the number of pensions claimed and granted to this class of pensioner; and the estimated yearly decline in this number in consequence of the dependent children having attained the statutory age limit?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAccording to the original estimate it was anticipated that 196,000 widows would be entitled to pensions at the commencement of the Act. The actual number of claimants was 183,153, of whom 132,410 have satisfied the conditions and been awarded pensions. On present experience, the yearly decline in the number of pensioners in consequence of the dependent children having attained the statutory age limit is approximately 11 per cent.