Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Pensions the total number of widows and dependants of N.C.O.s and other ranks, wives and children, respectively, receiving standard allowances as at 31st March, 1948; and what was the annual cost of each of these allowances.
§ Mr. G. BuchananThe numbers and annual cost at 31st December, 1947, the latest date for which information is available, are as follows:
Families of deceased N.C.Os. and other ranks. Number. Annual Cost. Widows … … 167,336 £15,789,283 (including rent allowance) Children … … 103,333 £2,955,300 Dependants … … 135,470 £3,362,515
Families of living N.C.Os. and other ranks. Number. Annual Cost. Wives … … 491,634 £4,730,560 Children … … 418,513 £2,859,300