§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people would benefit by increasing the retirement pension for a single pensioner by £5 in each constituency in Merseyside and in the constituencies of Ellesmere Port and Neston; Chester; Warrington, South; Halton; and Lancashire, West;
(2) how many couples would gain by an increase in the retirement pension for a married couple in each Merseyside constituency and in the constituencies of Ellesmere Port and Neston; Chester; Warrington, South; Halton; and Lancashire, West.
§ Miss WiddecombeI understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.