HC Deb 04 April 1979 vol 965 cc907-8W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out the percentage change in the real value of the State pension between February 1974 and the latest convenient date.

Mr. Orme

On the basis of the movement in the general index of retail prices between February 1974 and February 1979, the latest date for which a figure is available, the real value of the single person's rate of retirement pension increased by 22.5 per cent, over that period.

Mrs. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate (a) the number of persons who will become eligible for additional retirement pension in the first year after 3 April 1979 and, (b) of the maximum, the minimum, and the average weekly amount of additional retirement pension which will be paid in that year, in each case, on what earnings, and for what period the amount will be based.

Mr. Orme

I will write to my hon. Friend letting her have this information as soon as possible.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement giving full details of the increase in retirement pensions in November, including the account that has been taken of underpayment made last November, following the publication of earnings indices in January.

Mr. Orme

I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to him yesterday.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, using 1974 as a base year, what has been the real value of the retirement pension in each of the subsequent years.

Mr. Orme

I shall write to my hon. Friend letting him have a reply as soon as possible.

Forward to