§ Mr. HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are in receipt of the state retirement pension; and what percentages of these(a) pay tax and (b) receive income support.
§ Mr. HagueAt 31 March 1993, the latest date for which figures are available, approximately 10 million people (total number of contributory and non-contributory pensions including those payable to people residing abroad) were in receipt of state retirement pension, of whom approximately 14 per cent. were also in receipt of income support.
On the basis of the 1990–91 family expenditure survey, it is estimated that approximately 68 per cent. of individuals in receipt of state retirement pension were taxpayers.