§ Mr. LesterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are his latest estimates of the median weekly incomes, net and gross, of couples with(a) one child aged under five years, (b) single pensioners aged 75 years or over and (c) couples with one child under 16 years.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe information is set out as follows:
Median net and gross weekly incomes in 1986 Net £ Gross £ Single pensioner aged 75 or over 59 60 Couples with (just) one child aged under five 171 209 Couples with (just) one child aged under 16 186 239 Notes:
1. Gross income is defined as income from all sources (earnings, benefits, investment and other income).
2. Net income is defined as gross income from all sources less income tax and national insurance.
3. The median is defined as the middle case in the distribution. Half the number of cases fall below the median and half above.
4. These figures are derived from the family expenditure survey. The figures may, therefore be subject to sampling errors.
5. Figures are given in cash terms rounded to the nearest £1.