HC Deb 02 November 1989 vol 159 c320W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was his Department's total expenditure, at 1979 prices, on war widows' pensions in the years 1978–79 to 1988–89.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

[holding answer 25 October 1989]: The information requested is in the table.

Actual expenditure Expenditure at 1978–79 prices
£ £
1978–79 116,705,438 116,705,438
1979–80 128,840,466 110,455,980
1980–81 145,803,473 105,437,973
1981–82 165,598,881 109,115,611
1982–83 174,091,975 107,127,120
1983–84 177,358,000 104,304,650
1984–85 176,325,000 98,814,576
1985–86 192,859,160 102,449,032
1986–87 191,496,000 98,563,466
1987–88 189,581,000 92,716,484
1988–89 199,695,000 91,020,184