SOCIAL SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 261, 2 August 1939, Page 11

SOCIAL SERVICES

Provision For Social Security COST OF BENEFITS More Money For Education And Health Last year nil pensions payments were provided from the Consolidated Fund, but this year provision in the estimates under the heading of war and sundry pensions is made in thcConsolidated Fund only for. way and other pensions not provided for in the Social Security Fund. The amount paid last year for all pensions was £6,933,819. Provision for war and sundry pensions not provided for from the Social Security Fund is set down this year at £2,080,000. In addition, there is provision made in the Social Security vote to transfer from the Consolidated Fund the sum of £2,000,000 to the Social Security Fund to meet any deficit in that fuud. The National Provident and Friendly Societies account last year showed an expenditure of £133,959. This year’s estimate is £117,467, a decrease of £16,492. This is chiefly due to decreased maternity claims as a. result of the operation of the Social Security Act. Social Security Fund administration expenses and emergency benefits comprise a new vote in the estimates this year. Administration expenses are set down at £516,025, emergency benefits at £lOO,OOO, erdits in aid £55,808, the net vote being £560,225. Medical, hospital, etc., benefits include maternity benefits £306,500, medical benefits £lOO,OOO, hospital benefits £738,400. pharmaceutical benefits £50,000, credit in aid £5OO, net vote £1,194,400. This makes a grand total for tlie Social Security Fund of £1,754,625. Health services last year cost £1.362,757. This year’s estimate is £1,537,000. an increase of £174,243, which includes additional provision of £25,000 for milk for school children and £109,000 for subsidies to hospital boards. Mental hospitals last year cost £417,483. This year’s estimate is £409.000. a decrease of £8483. Education last year cost £4,097,546. The vote this year is £4,470,000, an increase of £372,454, including provision for the improvement to school grounds totalling £200,000 and also increases of the salaries of school teachers.