§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the pension of an individual who began drawing a full State retirement pension on 1st April 1977 after making the necessary contributions, would be covered by the contributions on (a) the present pay-as-you-go basis and (b) assuming interest accruing at the same rate as for a first-class life office.
83W
§ Mr. DeakinsI will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost to the Exchequer of paying State retirement pensions, excluding the Christmas bonus, in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. OrmeRetirement pensions are paid out of the National Insurance Fund. The cost over the last five years was:
£ million 1972–73 … … 2,369 1973–74 … … 2,752 1974–75 … … 3,578 1975–76 … … 4,791 1976–77 … … 5,655 (provisional)