§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on the basis of the Government's sample survey held in June 1973 that 50,000 registered male unemployed were occupational pensioners between the ages of 55 and 64 years, what estimates she made of the total sum per year made over to such persons as a group in unemployment benefit since then to the latest date for which figures are available; and what is the average amount made over to such an individual.
§ Mr. O'MalleyInformation on which to give detailed estimates is not available but it is thought likely that there are now about 35,000 occupational pensioners receiving unemployment benefit at a cost of something in the region of £35 million a year at current rates.