§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the level of social security expenditure on retirement pensions on a per capita basis at constant prices since 1974.
§ Mr. RossiThe following table expresses retirement pensions expenditure at average 1974–75 prices divided by the average number of retirement pensions in payment, including those to wives on their husband's contributions.
Year* Average retirement pension expenditure per pension in payment per year £ 1974–75 455 1975–76 476 1976–77 477 1977–78 478 1978–79 502 1979–80 494 1980–81 497 1981–82† 500 Notes
*Financial year.
† based on the retail price index for November 1981, rather than the average over the year.