§ Mr. Healyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will grant the higher contributory pensions to those who paid all their contri
RETIREMENT AND CONTRIBUTORY AND NON-CONTRIBUTORY OLD-AGE PENSIONS* Year Total number of pensioners at 31st December Total amount paid to pensioners during financial year commencing 1st April (including supplementary pensions and National Assistance) Total amount paid to pensioners by way of National Assistance during financial year commencing 1st April (included in col. (iii)) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Thousands £ million £ million 1946† … 3,775 191 — 1947† … 4,000 237 — 1948† … 4,550 265 11‡ 1949 … 4,575 292 17 1950 … 4,575 297 23 1951 … 4,550 325 27 1952 … 4,550 375 37 1953 … 4,650 396 42 Notes:
* The figures in the table above are in part based on estimates.
† Owing to the limitations of the information available it is not possible to include in the figures up to 5th July, 1948, contributory widow pensioners aged between 60 and 69. Supplementary pensions paid to them are, however, included in column (iii).
‡ Not a full year.
78Wbutions whilst resident in Britain but who, for health or other reasons, have been obliged to return to the Irish Republic, thus placing them in the same position as insured persons who qualified at the same time but are resident in Britain.
§ Mr. MarplesNo. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to depart from the policy adopted on previous occasions when National Insurance pensions have been increased.