asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the financial year 1982–83 a single, widowed or divorced woman aged 60 to 64 years will be liable to pay tax on her pension.

Such women will not be liable to pay lax if their basic State pension is their only income. Nor will they be liable if they have earnings-related additions to their State pension of less than £65 a year, and no other income. Where the total income is large enough to give rise to tax liability the tax due in respect of the basic pension will be less in 1982–83 than in 1981–82, despite the 11 per cent. uprating of pensions which will occur in November 1982.