§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of new basic pensioner couples who are no longer entitled to income support because of the recent rise in basic pension; and what is the average amount that their income is above the required level.
§ Mr. HanleyThe information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In general, the income of those ceasing to be entitled to income support from the week commencing 8 April 1991 would have increased by at least 8.1 per cent. However, there was an additional real increase in the basic pensioner premium of £1 for single pensioners and £1.50 for couples aged 60 to 74 years.