§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost to the National Insurance Fund if employer contributions were abolished in respect of (a) employees aged 65 years and over or (b) employees aged 70 years and over.
§ Mr. OrmeNo detailed statistics are yet available of the effect of the wholly earnings-related contribution introduced in April 1975, but it is thought that the cost to the National Insurance Fund, including the Consolidated Fund supplement, if employer contributions were abolished from April 1977 for those aged 65 years and over would be of the order of £90 million in a full year of which about £20 million is in respect of workers aged 70 years and over.