asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pensioners were in receipt of social security payments in (a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde region and (c) Greenock and Port Glasgow in 1986; how many of these will be required to pay 20 per cent. of their rates bill; what will be the average weekly payment by such citizens towards rates on the assumption that their rates liabilities will remain unchanged from 1986–87; and how many such citizens will be paying rates for the first time when the new requirement comes into force.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.