§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate on what basis he calculates that the average weekly net income of pensioners rose by 18 per cent. in real terms during 1979 to 1985.
§ Mr. MajorFigures obtained from the family expenditure survey and adjusted to 1985 prices show that pensioners' average weekly net income from all sources was £70.60 in 1979 and £83.10 in 1985, giving a real terms increase of 18 per cent. over the period.
Note: Figures are for pensioner tax units, that is either single pensioners or married couples where the husband is over 65.