§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retirement pensioners were in receipt of supplementary benefits at the last convenient date; how these numbers compare with the situation in 1973; and what percentage, respectively, these constitute of the total number of persons in receipt of retirement pensions on these dates.
§ Mr. Orme1,831,000 retirement pensioners were receiving supplementary benefit in December 1976. This figure excludes those receiving widow's benefit but includes dependants as well as claimants. The comparable figure for December 1973 was 2,031,000. These 363W figures represent 22 per cent. and 26 per cent. respectively of the total number of retirement pensioners at those dates.