§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the £180 million saving of public expenditure to which reference was made by the Minister in relation to the Social Security Bill,Official Report, 21st November, c. 1124.
§ Mr. Orme:£180 million is a broad estimate of the increase in public expenditure were part II of schedule 1 and clause 10 of the Social Security Bill not enacted. Paying retirement pensions to some 300,000 married women who had reached pension age before 6th April 1979, and who had failed the additional contribution condition known as the "half-test ", would account for about £100 million 1979–80. Unintended increases in public service pensions might amount to about £80 million a year. Other provisions of part II of schedule 1 prevent yearly expenditure of the order of £1 million.