§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of making the lower personal allowance available to retired women between 60 and 65 years of age who are unmarried; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th February 1977; Vol. 925, c. 878], gave the following information:
I assume my hon. Friend means the single age allowance. Information on which to base a precise figure is not available, but the estimated cost of giving this allowance to retired women aged between 60 and 65 is in the region of £50 million.