§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Health the annual cost of administration of pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, by post offices and the Ministry of Health, respectively; the number of staff employed by the Ministry of Health on work resultant from the operation of the 2180W Act; and the increase of staff due to the introduction of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts, and the cost thereof?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe costs incurred by Public Departments in England and Wales and recovered from the Pensions Account for the year 1928–29 (the latest year for which accounts have been completed) in respect of the administration of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, are as follow:
£ Ministry of Health … … 460,670 General Post Office … … 354,129 Other Departments … … 89,800 Total … … £904,599 The salaries of the staff employed by the Ministry of Health during 1928–29 amounted to £380,000. The number employed at 31st March, 1929, was 1,500. The estimated costs by Public Departments in England and Wales to be incurred in the year 1930–31 in respect of the administration of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, and the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, are as follow:
£ Ministry of Health … … 575,000 General Post Office … … 509,000 Other Departments … … 105,000 Total … … £1,189,000 The cost of staff employed by the Ministry of Health in connection with the two Acts for the year 1930–31 is estimated at £530,000. The number at present employed is 2,200.