asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans she has for extending the non-contributory basis for national insurance benefits.

As my hon. Friend knows, we are adding to the range of social security benefits which are available to people without reference to the contributions they have paid, and also without any test of their financial resources. Benefits already introduced include the non-contributory invalidity pension for men and for single women and the first stage of mobility allowance. The invalid care allowance and the non-contributory invalidity pension for married women are also on the statute book. As to the question of the future basis of the current contributory benefits, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's replies to him on 28th January 1975.—[Vol. 885, c. 186–8.]