§ Mr. Cartlandasked the Minister of Health whether he will give the number of persons in receipt of pensions and allowances in England and Wales in the various categories under the Contributory Pensions Acts and the Old Age Pension Act, 1936, at the latest available date?
§ Mr. ElliotThe numbers on the 31st March, 1939, were as follow:
211W
— England. Wales. Total. Pensions and allowances under the Contributory Pensions Acts: Widows' pensions … … … … … … 683,323 47,756 731,079 Additional allowances for children, payable as part of windows pensions. 218,139 17,799 235,938 Orphan's pensions … … … … … 11,123 1,147 12,270 Old age pensions between the ages of 65 and 70 … 707,049 46,480 735,529 Pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act: (a) To persons over the age of 70— Payable by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Acts. 1,070,876 69,770 1,140,646 Payable subject to tests as to means, etc. … 458,184 30,640 488,824 (b) To blind persons under the age of 70 … … 25.303 2,261 27,564 Totals … … … … … 3,173,997 215,853 3,389,850