§ Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what deductions are made from retirement pensioners' pensions when they are admitted to hospital.
§ Mr. OrmeThe following table sets out the deductions from the standard weekly rate of retirement pension (£17.50).
Deduction Period Pensioner with a dependant Pensioner without a dependant £ £ After 8 weeks in hospital 3.50 7.00 After 52 weeks in hospital 3.50* 14.00† * Amount deducted from £17.50. The remaining £14 personal benefit can, if the pensioner agrees, be paid to a dependant. In the absence of agreement, the deduction is £14 (as for a pensioner without a dependant) but a £7 "re-settlement benefit" accumulates for 52 weeks. † A £7 "resettlement benefit" accumulates for 52 weeks. There are special rules, for example if both husband and wife are in hospital or if a retirement pensioner who has been in hospital for two years has a dependant.