§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of protection against loss of pension rights under the new scheme those who remain at home to care for elderly or sick persons not receiving an 11W attendance allowance in cases where the carer is not eligible for supplementary benefits.
§ Mr. EnnalsIt is estimated that there are about 750,000 elderly or sick people sharing a household with a person under pension age who is not in employment. To ascertain the degree of care which is being given in each individual case would involve unacceptably high administrative costs. On the other hand, to extend home responsibilities protection to all these cases solely on the basis of the receipt of a qualifying benefit, such as a retirement or invalidity pension would, in the long-term, increase benefit expenditure by an estimated £100 million a year.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to correct the misleading impression given by the errors in the Government's pamphlet explaining the new pension scheme.
§ Mr. EnnalsI refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Brotherton) on 12th April.