HC Deb 29 February 1928 vol 214 cc426-8W
Mr. GARDNER

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons, excluding blind persons, 65 to 70, and over 70 years of age, in receipt of old age pensions; the cost in each group and from what sources it is met; and whether estimates of future numbers and costs are available?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

On the latest figures available, the number of persons to whom old age pensions between 65 and 70 have been awarded is 510,540, but this number includes an unknown number of blind persons and of persons who have died since the award was made. On 30th December, 1927, 1,241,104 persons of the age of 70 and upwards, other than blind persons, were in receipt of old age pensions. Pensions to persons in the first group have been payable only since the 5th January, and figures of the actual cost are not yet available. The cost is met partly by the contributions of insured persons and employers and partly by the Exchequer. The actual cost of pensions to persons in the second group for the last complete financial year was £29,984,000. The whole cost of these pensions is borne by the Exchequer. An estimate of the numbers in the first group for selected years will be found in Table III, of the cost of these pensions in Table VI, and of the cost of pensions for persons in the second group in Table V, of the Government Actuary's Report on the Contributory Pensions Bill.

Mr. DAY

asked the Minister of Health how many women applicants for old age pensions in the Borough of Southwark have been refused owing to the fact of their husbands having reached the age of 70 years prior to 2nd January, 1928?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The information asked for is not available as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.

Mr. DAY

asked the Minister of Health how many women applicants in the Borough of Southwark have been refused old age pensions owing to their husbands not having reached the age of 65 years?

Area. Estitated Population mid 1926. Deaths of Infants under one year per 1,000 live births
1924. 1925. 1926. 1927.
Aspull U.D. … 7,722 127 94 122 *
Blackrod U.D … 3,854 35 203 152 *
Hindley U.D. … 24,820 86 90 138 63 (provisional)
Horwich U.D. … 16,160 82 52 64 *
Westhoughton U.D. … 17,420 82 83 90 *
* Figures not yet available.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The information asked for is not available, as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.