§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health if he will furnish a statement showing the number of persons in receipt 511W of pensions and children's allowances under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts, 1925–30, on 31st December, 1931, and those in receipt of pension under the Old Age Pension Acts, 1908–24; the approximate figures of the number of widows who are without pension from any source: and the number of persons aged 65 who are without pension from any source?
Sir H. YOUNGThe number of persons (including children) in receipt of pensions and allowances under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts, 1925 to 1931, on 31st December, 1931, was 1,621,887. On that date there were also 1,476,558 persons in receipt of old age pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908–24, the pensions in 624,659 cases being payable by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Acts free of conditions as to means, residence and nationality. No information is available as to the number of widows or of persons aged 65, who are without pension from any source and such information could only be obtained as the result of a personal inquiry of each widow and person aged 65 in the country.