Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons have benefited from a home responsibilities protection for retirement pension since 1978.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardI regret that information is not available in the form requested. Records are not kept of the number of persons whose awards of retirement pension had periods of home responsibilities protection taken into account.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will end the transitional payments scheme to people on pensions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardWe have no plans to do so.
I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on this subject on 12 February at column 89.