HC Deb 17 July 1939 vol 350 cc39-41W
Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (I) how many women are in receipt of pensions under Government

Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1936
— Men. Women.
Approximate number of contributors at 31st December, 1938 12,900,000 6,100,000
Approximate receipts from contributions paid by or in respect of contributors during the financial year 1938–39 (see Note 2). £26,500,000 £6.000,000
Number of contributory pensioners at 31st March, 1939, (widows, age 65–70 pensioners and contributory over-70 pensioners) (see Note I). 1,120,000 1,810,000
Approximate annual cost of pensions to such pensioners … £29,200,000 £47,200,000

Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937.
— Men. Women.
Approximate number of special voluntary contributors as at 31st December, 1938. 330,000 150,000
Estimated annual receipts from contributions by such special voluntary contributors (see Note 3). £1,000,000 £180.000
[No pensions in respect of these contributors have yet become payable (see Note 4)].

  1. (I) The term "pensions under Government contributory schemes" has been taken to include all widows' pensions under the Act of 1936, pensions from 65–70 to insured persons and wives of pensioners and pensions after age 70 to persons with a title arising from the insurable status of themselves or their husbands.
  2. (2) The average contribution receipts per head vary appreciably from year to year with changes in the extent of unemployment and the incidence of sickness. The sums shown include payments by employers of insured

contributory schemes; and what is the annual payment in respect of such pensions;

  1. (2)How many men are in receipt of pensions under Government contributory schemes and what is the annual payment in respect of such pensions;
  2. (3)How many women make contributions to the Government contributory schemes; and what is the approximate annual amount so contributed;
  3. (4)How many men make contributions to the Government contributory pensions scheme; and what is the approximate annual amount so contributed?

Sir J. Simon

The information requested in these four questions is given in the following table, which relates to Great Britain:

persons as well as the amounts paid by the insured persons themselves.

  1. (3)Since a large number of special voluntary contributors have been paying contributions for less than 12 months, no statistics of their actual annual payments are yet available.
  2. (4)Widows' pensions are not payable in respect of special voluntary contributors until two years' insurance has elapsed, i.e. until January, 1940, at earliest; and age pensions are not payable until 10 years' insurance has elapsed, i.e. until January, 1948.

Mr. Mainwaring

asked the Minister of Health what is the average annual cost of contributory pensions over the last five years?

Miss Horsbrugh

The annual cost of pensions paid in Great Britain under and by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Act was approximately £66,400,000 for the year 1934–35. This has increased to £79,900,000 for the year 1938-39. The average annual cost for the five years 1934–39 was £73,200,000. These figures include the costs of administration which were on the average 3 per cent. of the whole.

Mr. Mainwaring

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the contribution made by employers, workers, and the State, respectively, towards National Health Insurance is utilised or required to meet the annual incidence of contributory pensions?

Miss Horsbrugh

None, Sir. The finances of the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Schemes are entirely distinct. For convenience of administration the weekly contribution payable by employed persons and their employers is a joint one covering both schemes. The contribution is 8d. for men and is. 2d. for women. Of these amounts IId. in the case of men and 5½d. in the case of women are in respect of contributory pensions, and the balance in respect of National Health Insurance. The Exchequer contribution to the cost of contributory pensions under the Contributory Pensions Act of 1936 is this year £18,000,000.