§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average increase in real terms since 1979 in the amount received by people in respect of occupational pensions.
§ Mr. NewtonFor all pensioners, the average amount of occupational pension received, in 1987 prices, was £13.20 in 1979 and £23.30 in 1987—an increase of 77 per cent.
For those pensioners actually receiving an occupational pension (52 per cent. of all pensioners in 1987) the average amount of such pension, in 1987 prices, was £32.10 in 1979 and £44.80 in 1987—an increase of 40 per cent.
I regret that in a supplementary answer to my hon. Friend on Monday 2 April at column 883, I inadvertently related the percentage increase for the average pensioner to the 1987 amount for the average occupational pensioner. I am glad to have this opportunity to clarify the position.