§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated saving to his Department by the changes in the available scale margin to operate from November; how many pensioners are affected; and how many representations he has received on the issue since 1 August.
§ Mr. WhitneyI refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Dr. Boyson) to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. John) on 21 June at column242–43 and to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden) on 28 June at column 524. Since 1 August we have received about 220 letters, including some 180 from hon. and right hon. Members, about the changes we are making to the available scale margin in November.