asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has formed an estimate of the amount of saving that would be involved to the Unemployment Assistance Board and the rates if old age pensions were to be increased to 15s. or £1 per week, respectively?

The existence of so many unknown factors makes it impossible to form a reliable estimate, but the saving would be very small in relation to the extra cost involved.

In view of the fact that these are the only pensioners who have to receive financial assistance in the form of pensions and not from the rates, would the right hon. Gentleman get some broad general estimate?

I am afraid that I could not do so, for the reasons I have stated.

Are not the finances of the Unemployment Assistance Board, in fact, derived from the rates?