§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have taken advantage of the opportunity to go on full rate benefits after 60 years of age since last November.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the extension of the long term rate of supplementary benefit after 12 months to unemployed men450W over 60 who choose no longer to register for work. It is estimated that about 26, 000 men had opted for the long term rate by mid-January 1982.