§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his most recent estimate of the total amount of social security benefits which are not taken up by retirement pensioners; and if he will give a breakdown of the total amount by category of benefit.
§ Mr. LyellInvitations to claim retirement pension are issued automatically to everyone who appears to be 373W entitled about three to four months before minimum pension age. In consequence, take-up is virtually 100 per cent.
For supplementary pension estimates, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Thorne) and the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Leighton) and Sunderland, North (Mr. Clay) on 30 October 1986 at columns 231–34. First estimates of the take-up of housing benefit are expected to be published shortly.