§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be the net cost of payment of national insurance benefits at supplementary benefit levels to (a) retirement pensioners without other income, (b) retirement pensioners with other income, (c) the unemployed, (d) the sick, (e) the disabled, (f) students and (g) others unemployed for the periods 1975–76 and 1976–77;
(2) what would be the administrative cost of extending national insurance benefits to needy groups not yet covered and the consequent savings in the reduction of administration of special additional benefits.
§ Mr. OrmeNo estimate is possible on the basis requested without some indication of the assumed level of388W national insurance benefit payable and the condtions for payment to each of the group in question. The amount payable by way of supplementary benefit varies from case to case according to liability for rent, family income and circumstances and other special factors. The amount payable under the national insurance scheme varies with each benefit provided under the scheme and depends on the contribution record of the individual concerned and the number of dependants he might have.