HC Deb 12 December 1944 vol 406 cc1065-6W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of National Insurance in what way the position of those who are now benefiting under the present contributory pension scheme will be affected under the new pensions proposals of the Government.

Sir W. Jowitt

The rights of existing pensioners will be carefully safeguarded. The details are necessarily somewhat complicated and will be found in paras. 100 and 125 of the White Paper on Social Insurance (Part I).

Sir J. Mellor

asked the Minister of National Insurance what estimated annual sums during the first 20 years, respectively, of the proposed death grant and what estimated total sum the taxpayer will have to provide over and above contributions from contributors, as a result of the grant being given in respect of the existing population; and what estimated initial deficiency, expressed as a capital sum, will thus be created.

Sir W. Jowitt

The charge on the Exchequer in respect of death grants, excluding administrative expenses, will be the amount by which the contribution income of about £6,500,000 a year falls short of the expenditure, which will be about £4,000,000 in the first year and will rise to about £7,000,000 a year in 10 years, and £11,000,000 a year in 20 years. As regards the estimated amount of the initial deficiency, expressed as a capital sum, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Government Actuary's Report, paragraph 26 on page 185 of Command Paper 6404.