HC Deb 03 June 1991 vol 192 cc109-10W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what response the Government made to the European Commission on its proposals for a European travel card for British pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jack

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Worsley (Mr. Lewis) on 25 March at column290. I will send him a copy of my letter to Members of the European Parliament issued on 28 February.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost currently incurred weekly by pensioners in the Doncaster area for (a) heating, (b) lighting and (c) travel; and what were the comparable figures for (i) five and (ii) 10 years ago.

Miss Widdecombe

The information is not available in the form requested.

Sir Ian Gilmour

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham of 29 January,Official Report, column 486, how many (a) single and (b) married pensioners in 1987 had no income other than the state basic pension and/or means-tested benefits.

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 20 May 1991]: In 1987 there were 810,000 single pensioners and 150,000 pensioner married couples with no income other than state retirement pensions (including net additional and graduated retirement benefit), supplementary benefit and housing benefit.

Mr Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost to his Department of(a) paying pensions to foreigners retired in the United Kingdom and (b) topping up the state pensions paid to them by their country of origin.

Miss Widdecombe

The information requested is not available. The United Kingdom retirement pension is paid to anyone who meets the national insurance contribution conditions, irrespective of nationality.

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