§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of extending the housekeeper allowance at a current rate at £200 per annum, at £300 per annum and at £400 per annum, respectively, to women with children under 11 years of age and to women in work who care for elderly dependants.
574Wsignificant proportions of pensioners many of whom were economically inactive. The proportion of taxpayers was lower in these pensioner groups. There are no comparable figures for the earlier years.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 29th June 1977; Vol. 934, c. 231], gave the following information:
It is not possible to make precise calculations, but the costs for 1977–78 would be of the following orders of magnitude:
£ millions £100 … … … … 10 £200 … … … … 20 £300 … … … … 30 £400 … … … … 40