§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the net cost of raising (a) invalid care allowance and (b) the non-contributory invalidity pension to the long-term national insurance level; and what would be the net cost if both benefits were paid to married women on the same basis as other claimants.
§ Mr. Prentice, [pursuant to his reply, 27 July 1979, c. 691]: It is estimated that the approximate net cost of raising invalid care allowance (ICA) and noncontributory 122W invalidity pension (NCIP) (including HNCIP) to the long-term national insurance level for existing beneficiaries would be as follows, at 1979–80 rates:
ICA £2 million a year
NCIP £30 million a year
The extra cost of paying those benefits to married women on the same basis as other claimants and at the long-term rates would be as follows:
ICA—about £100 million to £135 million gross a year. It is not possible to estimate a net figure.
NCIP—about £280 million net a year.