§ Sir Nicholas Bonsorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, whether he plans to give full pensions rights to persons over 80 years of age.
§ Mr. PrenticeI assume my hon. Friend has in mind that the non-contributory retirement pension for people over 80 is payable at a lower rate than the contributory retirement pension. I think it not unreasonable, in a contributory scheme,
Employer Employee (percentage of earnings, or fixed rate) Belgium … … … … 28.51 per cent. 10.1 per cent. Denmark … … … … 454 Kr per annum 628 Kr per annum, plus 1 per cent. of earnings France … … … … 36.04 per cent. 8.43 per cent. Germany … … … 16 per cent. 16 per cent. Ireland … … … … £(Irish) 224.12 per annum, plus 2 per cen. of earnings £(Irish) 149.24 per annum plus 1 per cent. of earnings Italy … … … … 42.28 per cent. 7.45 per cent. Luxembourg … … … 17.98 per cent. 12 per cent. Netherlands … … … 26.51 per cent. 25.35 per cent. United Kingdom … … 8.75 per cent. 5.75 per cent. I am writing to my hon. Friend about the position in the other countries of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development.