§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be: (a) the gross cost and (b) the net cost of paying an additional weekly pension of (i) £5, (ii) £10 and (iii)£15 to all retirement pensioners less any additional component or graduated pension they are receiving; and how many people would be lifted off supplementary benefit in each case;
36W(2) how many persons of retirement age (a) receive no retirement pension and (b) receive a reduced pension because their contribution record is inadequate; what would be the net extra cost of paying a retirement pension at the standard rate to all such persons; and how many persons would be lifted off supplementary benefit as a result;
(3) what would be (i) the gross cost and (ii) the net cost of paying unemployment benefit (a) without contribution conditions, (b) without contribution conditions and without limit of time and (c) without contribution conditions, without limit of time and at the retirement pension rate after a year's unemployment; and, in each case, how many people would be lifted off supplementary benefit as a result.
§ .Dr BoysonI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.