§ Mr. Crawfordasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of(a)a 5 per cent. and(b)a 10 per cent. increase in the level of old-age pensions during the fiscal year 1979–80.
§ Mr. Orme:The full year cost of increasing old age pensions, that is, retirement pensions, old persons' pensions and supplementary pensions, excluding any tax offset, would be (a)£410 million ; (b)£820 million.