§ Mr. SumbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would have been the total cost to the Exchequer of paying a Christmas bonus to pensioners in the year 1992–93 had such bonus been increased annually since 1972 in line with prices.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Christmas bonus would now be worth £62.30 had it been increased annually since 1972 in line with prices. To pay it at this rate to 12.7 million beneficiaries in 1992–93 would cost £791 million.