§ Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister of Pensions how many orphans have had their pensions extended beyond the age of 21 on the ground of total mental or physical incapacity; and what is the annual cost of such grants to the State?
§ Major TRYONOn 31st March last pensions had been continued in payment to 117 young persons beyond the age of 21 who were motherless as well as fatherless and who had been certified to be totally and permanently incapable of self-support. The annual cost of these pensions is £3,650.
§ Mr. CROOKEasked the Minister of Pensions (1) the number of war orphans receiving pension allowances from the Ministry at the end of April, 1934; and the number at the same date in 1933;
(2) the number of war orphans who have had their pension allowances extended beyond the age of 16 years on grounds of mental or physical incapacity?
§ Major TRYONThe total number of fatherless children in receipt of pension or allowance was approximately 20,750 at 31st March last. The number at the corresponding date in the previous year was about 35,700. Of the former number, it is estimated that some 2,500 children were drawing pension or allowance which had been extended beyond the age of 16 on account of infirmity.