HC Deb 11 April 1968 vol 762 cc331-2W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she is aware that since social welfare benefits were increased last October price increases have diminished their value by 2 per cent.; and by how much she estimates they will be further depreciated during the current year as a result of the various Government economic measures and devaluation.

Mrs. Hart

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on the 9th April by my right hon. Friend the

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF MEN AND WOMEN AGED 65 OR OVER AND IN RECEIPT OF A RETIREMENT PENSION (OR CONTRIBUTORY OLD AGE PENSION (a)) AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE ESTIMATED POPULATION
TABLE 1(i)
ENGLAND WALES SCOTLAND
Men and aged 65 Women or over (i) as a percentage of (ii) Men and aged 65 Women or over (iv) as a percentage of (v) Men and aged 65 Women or over (vii) as a percentage of (viii)
End of Year In receipt of R.P. or C.O.A.P. In population In receipt of R.P. or C.O.A.P. In population In receipt of R.P. or C.O.A.P. In population
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix)
000's 000's per cent. 000's 000's Per cent. 000's 000's Per cent.
1960 4,193 5,213 80.4 249 309 80.7 426 545 78.2
1961 4,313 5,253 82.1 257 309 83.5- 438 547 800
1962 4,436 5,309 83.6 266 317 83.8 453 553 81.9
1963 4,573 5,357 85.4 269 326 82.6 464 562 82.6
1964 4,718 5,441 86.7 281 331 84.8 472 571 82.5 +
1965 4,876 5,536 88.1 285 339 83.9 489 581 84.2
1966 5,019 5,580 89.9 295 342 86.3 504 585 86.2
(a) A contributory old age pension (normally 30s. a week) is payable as a residual right to a widow aged 60 or over whose husband satisfied the conditions for widow's pension under the repealed Contributory Pensions Acts. At the end of 1966 there were about 24,000 such C.O.A.P.s in payment, approximately 15,500 to women aged 65 or more.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury.—[Vol. 762, c. 227.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Social Security how many persons are receiving social benefits of £11 per week, £12 per week, and how many are in receipt of less than these amounts for the latest convenient stated period.

Mrs. Hart

I regret the information on which an answer to my hon. Friend's Question could be based is not available.