I would be grateful if the House would facilitate me by taking two of these Estimates, that is, Nos. 16 and 50, with the main Estimate later on today. They will be circulated immediately.
Supplementary and Additional Estimates, 1969-70: Leave to Introduce.
Leave granted to introduce the following Supplementary and Additional Estimates for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1970, namely:—
16 (Miscellaneous Expenses),
44 (Army Pensions),
50 (Increases in Pensions and Exgratia Pensions for Widows and Children).
—(Minister for Finance).
Could the Minister give us an idea what they are about?
Miscellaneous Expenses is concerned with a grant to the Olympic Council to enable them to participate in the last Olympic Games and extra money to cover new social welfare benefits for mothers of triplets and quadruplets.
Triplets and upwards?
Yes. Number 50 is the pension increases generally announced in the Budget. The difficulty is that the money to cover these amounts is running out and we must get these Supplementary Estimates through.
Could the Minister tell us what is the total amount?
Number 16 is only, I think, £1,500 but No. 50 is £738,000.
These are Civil Service pensions more or less?
General Public Service.
We have no objection.