§ Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the changes in state support for pensioners in real terms as between 1979 and now.
§ Mr. Lyell[pursuant to his reply, 25 November c. 202]: Total state support for pensioners includes both retirement pensions and other benefits for which they are eligible, such as housing benefit and supplementary pension. Between 1978–79 and 1985–86 benefit expenditure on pensioners grew in real terms by over 25 per cent. or £4 billion.