§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate how many people would benefit if the rate of non-contributory retirement pension for those over the age of 80 years was increased in line with the rate of basic retirement pension; what would be the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is estimated that during 1983–84 of the 40,000 pensioners receiving a non-contributory retirement pension some 25,000 are not receiving supplementary pension and would thus benefit if the non-contributory retirement pension were increased to the same amount as the basic retirement pension rate. The cost of so doing would be about £15 million in a full year. Such a change would inevitably need to be accompanied by an increase to the appropriate standard basic retirement pension rate for pensioners over age 80 with a modified basic retirement pension and this would add a further £10 million a year to the cost. I have no plans for changing the relative rate of non-contributory retirement pension.