§ Mr Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost to the Exchequer of abolishing the earnings rule for retirement pensioners.
§ Mr. Rossi:The last estimate, made in August 1980, was that the net cost to public funds was about £45 million—at 1979 prices. I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mrs. Fenner) on 7 August 1980—[Vol. 990, c. 283]. A new estimate on the most up-to-date assumptions is in the course of preparation and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available.