§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be the cost of increasing the basic State retirement pension to one third of average gross earnings for a single person and one half average gross earnings for a married couple without a corresponding increase in the level of supplementary pension; and if he will set out the cost on a gross and net basis and give separate figures based on (a) total gross earnings, (b) total manual gross earnings and (c) male manual gross earnings;
(2) when he expects to be able to publish in the Official Report the net benefit costs of retirement pension changes referred to in reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, Official Report, 29 April, c. 334.
Mr. Ross[pursuant to his replies, 29 April, 1982, Vol. 22, c. 334 and 11 June 1982, Vol. 25, c. 177]: The net benefit cost of the changes proposed taking into account savings in supplementary benefit, and on the assumptions previously stated, would be £7¼ billion and £4½ billion respectively in a full year.