§ Mr. Graham Pageasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give an estimate of the additional number of retirement pensioners and the additional cost in the payment of retirement pensions in the event of the reduction of the qualifying age for retirement pensions to 60 years.
§ Mr. O'MalleyAssuming that the pattern of retirement of men between the ages of 60 and 65 were to be the same as it is at present between the ages of 65 and 70, the number of retirement pensioners would be increased by about 2.4 million, including women qualifying on their husband's insurance. The additional cost to the National Insurance Fund would be approximately £1,560258W million a year at the pension rates to be introduced this month.