§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those benefits and their average value which are available to pensioner couples on basic pensions who are in receipt of income support.
§ Miss Widdecombe[pursuant to her reply, 22 April 1991, c. 327]: I regret that some of the information given was incorrect. In the list of benefits, the entry "Industrial injury benefit" should read "Industrial injuries benefits". Also, the third foot-note should explain that invalidity benefit and sickness benefit can continue for up to five years after pensionable age in place of retirement pension. For invalidity benefit this will be paid at an equivalent rate, for sickness benefit there is a 5 per cent. abatement. One partner may elect to retain their invalidity or sickness benefit while the other may choose to receive retirement pension. However, a married woman, relying solely on her husband's contributions, cannot take her retirement pension until he has claimed his.