HC Deb 28 January 1975 vol 885 cc92-3W
Mr. Tom King

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what rate of inflation was estimated in calculating the pension increases that will be payable in April.

Mr. O'Malley

I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend said during the debate on the Second Reading of the Social Security Benefits Bill on 21st November 1974.—[Vol. 881, c. 1553.]

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the full demographic assumptions underlying the Government Actuary's estimates of the cost and finances of the pensions proposals outlined in the White Paper "Better Pensions".

Mr. O'Malley

The most recent projection of the future population of Great Britain, based on the estimated population in mid-year 1973, was used by the Government Actuary in his estimates of the cost of benefits and contribution income which were shown in his memorandum on the finances of the proposals in "Better Pensions". Full details, including particulars of the underlying assumptions, are given in "Population Projections No. 4 1973–2013".