§ Mr. Rookerasked the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her final supplementary answer of 28 January, Official Report, col. 998, she will make a statement about the position of unemployed men aged over 60 years who have been persuaded to de-register at jobcentres in return for obtaining the long-term rate of supplementary benefit after section 27 of the Finance Act 1981 comes into force on 5 July.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the legislation stands at present, section 27 of the Finance Act 1981 will not apply to payments of supplementary benefit made in the se circumstances.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government's undertakings to maintain the value of the supplementary benefit safety net apply to both short-term and long-term rates.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government are pledged to maintain the value of retirement pensions and related long term benefits over the lifetime of this Parliament.