HC Deb 06 November 1996 vol 284 c549W
Mr. Hain

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount(a) cumulatively and (b) per week by which the retirement allowance of those people transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance between 1 April and 1 October was lower than their reduced earnings allowance. [2684]

Mr. Roger Evans

The estimated average weekly difference for those transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance between 1 April and 30 September is approximately £29. The estimated average cumulative difference is about £630. This may be offset by additional income related benefits entitlement for some retirement allowance recipients.

Mr. Hain

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals against being transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance were lodged with social security appeal tribunals between 1 April and 1 October; and how many of these have been(a) allowed and (b) heard. [2685]

Mr. Evans

The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Hain

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women were transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance between 1 April and 1 October; and how many of the woman were aged under 65 years at the time of conversion. [2686]

Mr. Evans

It is estimated that between 1 April and 30 September approximately 17,000 men and 4,000 women who are over pension age have been transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance. Virtually all of the 4,000 women are likely to have been under 65 years of age at the time of transfer.