§ 9. Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the amount of basic benefits included in the total benefits for National Insurance in 1961 of £934 million; how much extra benefit would be paid by an increase of 74 per cent. on this total basic figure; what would have been the credit balance if the level rate contribution of 6s. 3½d. for women and 7s. 3½d. for men had been changed to a uniform contribution of 7s. 8d. and a percentage payment of 4½ per cent. had been contributed by 123W employers and by those earning salaries, wages and forces' pay on the basis of income indicated in the Government's Account of National Income and Expenditure for 1961, plus the self-employed contribution of 7 per cent., plus the extra above the 4½ per cent. contributed by those earning incomes up to £9, if the total of such incomes were supplemented by the Exchequer by one-seventh and if the £50 million from investments were added.
§ Mrs. Thatcher£934 million was the total amount of National Insurance benefits paid in the financial year 1960–61, when the standard rate was 50s. Excluding retirement pensions on the husband's insurance and all dependency increases, the amount was £802 million. Increased by 74 per cent. this would become £1,395 million. I cannot give the other amount for which the hon. Gentleman has asked because the income figures specified do not enable it to be calculated on his hypotheses.