§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons over 70 years of age were in receipt of non-contributory pensions; and what is the annual payment in respect of such pensions?
§ Sir J. SimonThe number of non-contributory old age pensions in payment on 31st March, 1939, was as follows:
To persons of 70 and over 544,933
To blind persons under 70… 31,139
As regards the total cost for 1938–39, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on the 13th July. The separate cost of the over-70 pensions is not available.