§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of lowering the male retirement age to 64, 63, 62, 61 and 60 years, respectively.
§ Dr. BoysonI refer my hon. Friend to the estimates set out in volume II of the third report of the Social Services Committee 1981–82 (H.C.: 26-II pages 14 to 16 and 407 to 409). Later estimates based on November 1983 benefit rates are being prepared and will be published when available.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of lowering the male retirement age by six months every year for the next 10 years.
§ Dr. BoysonOn the same broad basis of earlier published estimates, as set out in volume II of the third Report of the Social Services Committee 1981–82 (H.C.: 26-II, pages 14 to 16 and 407 to 409), each separate stage would involve an average net cost to public funds in the region of £250 million, building up to a cumulative cost of at least £2.5 billion a year. Any more precise estimate would involve disproportionate cost.