§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what amount the pensioners' Christmas bonus would need to be raised in order to restore its purchasing power to that at its introduction.
§ Mr. RossiBased on the movement in the general index of retail prices between December 1972, when the 55W bonus was introduced, and November 1982, the latest date for which a figure is available, it would be necessary to raise the bonus to £36.75-an increase of £26.75.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost in a full year of giving a £10 bonus at Christmas time to pensioners.
§ Mr. RossiThe cost of the Christmas bonus in December 1982 is estimated to be £106 million. Of this about £91 million goes to retirement pensioners (including supplementary pensioners), £10 million goes to qualifying groups in receipt of invalidity and disablement pensions and benefits, and £5 million to widows.