§ 9. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to remove the lop pro rata deduction from unemployment benefit from persons over 60 years who draw occupational pensions.
§ Mr. RossiWe have no plans to end the abatement of unemployment benefit for persons over 60 years who receive substantial occupational pensions.
§ 62. Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the answer by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Official Report, 8 November, c. 323, when consideration of the restoration of the 5 per cent. abatement of unemployment benefit will be complete.
§ Mr. RossiAs my right hon. Friend made clear in the House on 22 November—[Vol. 32, c. 649]—the Government are currently considering the whole question of the 5 per cent abatement. We shall come to a conclusion on this and on other matters affecting social security expenditure at one and the same time as part of next spring's Budget and uprating decisions.