§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will explain the procedures used to calculate special payments to pensioner couples(a) in receipt of one pension and (b) in receipt of two separate pensions.
§ Mr. ScottWhere only one member of a couple has retired and is drawing a pension the standard loss in204W weekly benefit over the two years affected by the error in the retail price index will be £7.85, whether or not an addition to pension for the spouse is paid. The £8 special payment made on the couple's single instrument of payment will compensate for this in full. If, on the other hand, both have retired their pensions will be paid separately and a special payment will he made on each.