§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of how many men aged 60 to 64 years are receiving National Insurance credits without being required to register as unemployed.
§ Mr. Major[pursuant to his reply, 5 May 1987, c. 376]: Men aged 60–64 years may be awarded credits without being required to register as unemployed for periods when they receive incapacity benefit, invalid care allowance or supplementary benefit. In addition credits are awarded automatically each year to any other men in this age group who have less than a full record of 367W contributions or credits. In 1984–85, the latest year available, the number of men receiving credits in these circumstances was 1.4 million.