§ Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the total cost on the basis that, starting in 1973, the age of retirement was reduced by one year for the next five years so as to bring the retirement age down to 60 years for men and 55 years for women.
§ Mr. DeanOn the assumption that the pattern of retirement during the first five years after minimum retirement age remains unchanged the cost in the first year 1973, including loss of contribution income, would be about £180 million rising by 1977 to about £975 million a year.