asked the Minister of Pensions the total number of persons in the various categories who are in receipt of war pensions, and the expenditure involved, including administrative ex-penses; and whether the figures show a reduction with 12 months ago?

The approximate number of beneficiaries under the Royal Warrants on the 31st October last was 2,620,000, as compared with 3,135,000 twelve months previously. The total estimate of the expenditure of my Department for the current financial year is £89,991,000, as compared with an approximate expenditure of £95,545,000 for the financial year ending 31st March, 1922.