§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the value of the basic state retirement pension for(a) a single pensioner and (b) a married pensioner couple at 1979 and at each uprating since 1979, including that proposed for April 1991; what it would have been if it had been uprated in line with average earnings at each of these upratings; and what was the total cumulative loss as a result of not uprating in line with earnings at each uprating (i) at current prices and (ii) at 1991 prices.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe information requested in part (i) of the question is in the table. We are unable to give the figures at 1991 prices as the RPI figure for April is not yet available.
§ Mr. ScottIn common with other Crown employers, quotas do not apply to this Department. However, the Department is aiming to meet the 3 per cent. quota.