§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost to the National Insurance Fund of abolishing the rule which abates retirement pensions of persons in hospital, including reductions in respect of dependants in hospital; and how many persons are currently affected by the rule.
§ Mr. O'Malley:At the rates of benefit due to come into force in April this would cost about £35 million a year in respect of about 100,000 persons at any one time ; but there would probably be consequential effects on other benefits which also are adjusted during periods of free inpatient treatment in hospital.