§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Official Report, 3 November, c. 464, how many of the letters he has received concerning the married women's half test urged its abolition for women who were over 60 years before 6 April 1979.
§ Dr. BoysonAll 137 letters received over the six months period either urged or implied a demand for retrospective abolition of the married women's half test.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of abolishing the married woman's half test for women aged 60 years before 6 April 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonIt would cost an estimated £50 million at 1983–84 benefit rates to abolish the married women s half test for women who were aged 60 before 6 April 1979 and are not yet receiving a pension based on their husband's contributions. We have no plans to abolish the test retrospectively.