§ 39. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the estimated cost annually of increasing retirement pensions by £1 per per week, 10s. per week and 5s. per week for persons aged 80 years and more.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe estimated cost of an increase of £1 a week for pensioners over 80 would be £30 million a year immediately rising to £62 million a year by 1979–80. The cost of increases of 10s. a week and 5s. a week would be, respectively, half and a quarter of the above figures.
§ 40. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the estimated annual cost of increasing retirement pensions for persons aged 75 years and more, by £1 per week, 10s. per week and 5s. per week, respectively.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe estimated cost of an increase of £1 a week for pensioners over 75 would be £73 million a year immediately, rising to £142 million a year by 1979–80. The cost of increases of 10s. a week and 5s. a week would be respectively half and a quarter of the above figures.
§ Mr. GowerIn view of the fact that these older retirement pensioners are less able and in most cases are unable to supplement their pensions as younger pensioners are, and as their needs often increase with age, would my right hon. Friend agree that these figures may be 819 worthy of some consideration in the future?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI fully understand the point of view which my hon. Friend has in mind, but he must also appreciate that even these figures are very substantial.