§ 20. Mr. J. Patonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what percentage of the national income in 4W 1939, 1947, 1954, and 1956, respectively, was provided by the national Exchequer in each of those years for retirement and old-age pensions and National Assistance.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe percentages for the years 1939, 1947 and 1954 were about 1.9 per cent., 1.7 per cent. and 1.3 per cent. respectively. Figures for the national income in 1956 are not yet available. The percentages take account of the total Exchequer payment to the Contributory Pensions Accounts up to 1947–48 and to the National Insurance Fund for 1954–55, since it is not possible to apportion any part of this payment to particular pensions or benefits.