HC Deb 28 February 1955 vol 537 cc214-5W
Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the estimated annual cost to the National Insurance Fund of paying dependants' benefits for child dependants and all other dependants, respectively, in respect to sickness benefit, widows' benefit, unemployment benefit, and retirement benefit, respectively.

Mr. Peake

The following table gives the estimated cost under the provisions of the National Insurance Act, 1954, in the first full year:

£ million
Child dependants Adult dependants
Sickness benefit 19
Widows benefit* 4
Unemployment benefit † 2
Retirement pensions ½ 56‡
12¾ 79½
* Excluding the payments in respect of the widow herself.
† Assuming an unemployment rate of 1¾ per cent.
‡ Including£501/2 million for wives over age 60 receiving pensions on their husbands' insurance.

Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why, prior to the establishment of the German Federal Government the relatives and dependants of British Service men serving in Germany, were excluded from rights under the National Insurance Act, 1946, although living in an area considered home service by the War Office.

Mr. Peake

Because the people in question were absent from Great Britain and, in the absence of any special regulations, were accordingly disqualified for receiving benefit by Section 29 of the National Insurance Act, 1946.