asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will estimate and state the cost of increasing the old age pension to £2 10s. per week, and the total cost of providing an old age pension of £2 10s. per week on the basis of the means test now in operation.
Written Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
78.
The cost of increasing the old age pension to £2. 10. 0 per week for all pensioners who were receiving pension at 30th September, 1959, would be £9,700,000 per annum. The total cost of providing a maximum old age pension of £2. 10. 0 per week, on the basis of the means scale at present in operation, would be £20,650,000 approximately per annum.