HC Deb 01 November 1996 vol 284 cc285-6W
Sir Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the level of the basic state pension, (b) average weekly earnings and (c) the percentage of average weekly earnings represented by the basic state pension, for each year since 1966. [881]

Mr. Heald

I refer the hon. Member to tables 3.3 and 6.1 of the "Abstract of Statistics for Social Security Benefits and Contributions and Indices of Prices and Earnings", 1996 Edition; a copy of which is available in the Library.

Comparative information for the years 1966 to 1970 is not available because the new earnings survey did not begin until 1970.

The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many examinations for the All Work Test have (a) been carried out and (b) scheduled but not yet taken place during the year April 1995 to April 1996 for each of the regional medical centres. The information is not available in the format requested. Figures for the All Work Test were not recorded separately until August 1995. Appendix A provides details of the All Work Test examinations carried out for the period August 1995 to March 1996. Appendix B provides details of the examinations scheduled, these include both All Work Tests and Own Occupation Tests as the tests are not recorded separately. I hope you find this reply helpful.