§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the present cost equivalent of the £10 Christmas bonus to pensioners paid in 1972.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardIf the Christmas bonus had been increased in line with the movement in the retail prices index since December 1972 it would be worth over £50 at December 1990. To pay the Christmas bonus to all recipients at this rate would cost more than £600 million.