§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) of 27 March 2000,Official Report, column 31W, and hon. Member for Wythenshawe and Sale East (Mr. Goggins) of 8 November 2000, Official Report, columns 218–19W, for what reason the figures showing the spending on pensioners as a proportion of GDP in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 2001–02 have changed; and what is the value of public expenditure on pensioners both as a proportion of GDP and in real terms on (i) basic state retirement pensions, (ii) SERPS, (iii) income support, (iv) other means-tested benefits, 697W (v) winter fuel payments, (vi) free TV licences and (vii) other benefits for pensioners, for each year between 1996–97 and 2001–02. [139252]
§ Mr. RookerFigures for Social Security spending on pensioners as a proportion of GDP may be revised as a result of either new forecasts of Social Security expenditure and GDP or revisions to GDP outturn figures. Detailed forecasts of expenditure on individual pensioner benefits will be published with the DSS Departmental Report next spring.