§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many invalidity pensioners in Wales are now below the tax threshold and will be adversely affected 'by the Social Security (No. 2) Bill.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have been asked to reply.
It has been very roughly estimated that, of the 850,000 or so persons drawing invalidity benefit in the United Kingdom at some time in 1980–81, something in the order of 400,000 of them would have an annual income not exceeding their personal tax allowance, assuming that they have little income other than the benefit. Since that estimate is subject to a very wide margin of error, further analysis according to country would not be justified. The hon. Member might however wish to note that on 3 June 1978 slightly less than 11 per cent. of invalidity pensioners were living in Wales.