§ Mr. Patonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what he estimates would be the cost to the National Insurance Fund in each of the years 1956, 1960, 1965, 1970 and 1980, of increasing retirement pensions by£1 for men, for single women aged 65 years 238W and over on own insurance, for married women aged 65 years and over on own insurance, for widows aged 65 years and over on own insurance and for widows aged 65 years and over on husband's insurance, respectively; what part of the cost would be attributable to each sex, by five-year age groups; and what would be the expected consequential saving in the cost of National Assistance.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI regret that the figures for which the hon. Member asks are not available. However, it is estimated that the cost of increasing retirement pensions by£1 a week for the classes mentioned in this Question would rise from about£175 million a year immediately to about£300 million a year by 1979–80. On a very rough estimate the immediate annual saving in the cost of National Assistance might be of the order of£27 million.