§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would be(a) the first year and (b) the full year cost of raising the retirement pension by £5 per week for a single person and by £8 per week for a married person (i) in 1991–92 and (ii) 1992–93, including increases in means-tested and national insurance benefits for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyI shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the statutory instrument which links benefits to the category A basic retirement pension; and what would be(a) the first year and (b) the full year cost, net of tax, of raising by £5 per week for a single person and by £8 per week for a married person the retirement pension and (i) each linked benefit, (ii) each linked and means-tested benefit so that all of the people on linked benefits receive the increase, (iii) each of the linked benefits at the same level as the retirement pension, (iv) each of the linked benefits at the same level as the retirement pension and means-tested benefits to that all of the people on these linked benefits receive the increase, (1) for 1991–92, and (2) 1992–93, in each case including and excluding those below retirement age.
§ Mr. HanleyI shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would be the numbers of people affected above and below retirement age by raising by £5 per week for a single person and by £8 per week for a married person the retirement pension and(a) each benefit linked by statute to the category A basic retirement pension, (b) each linked and means-tested benefit so that all of the people on linked benefits receive the increase, (c) each of the linked benefits at the same level as the retirement pension, and (d) each of the linked benefits at the same level as the retirement pension and means-tested benefits so that all of the people on these linked benefits receive the increase, for Northern Ireland in 1991–92, listing separately the numbers on each benefit, including and excluding those below the retirement age.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 3 December 1991]: I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library.