The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Women (Retirement Pension) – 28 October 1985

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Women (Retirement Pension) on 28th October 1985.


Mr. Meacher Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women, in each year from 1979 to 1984, claimed a retirement pension based on contributions paid or credited for the period before 5 July 1948; and how many of these claims were followed by an award of pension based (i) entirely on contributions paid or credited for the period before July 1948 and (ii) partly on such contributions; and in each case what was the average pension awarded.

Mr. Major There is no central statistical analysis of claimants’ insurance records which would indicate the specific periods of the working life during which contributions accrued on which title to retirement pension is based.

I regret therefore that the information requested is not available.