To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage of the average wage paid in pensions to single people and married couples in each European Community country, including the United Kingdom; what increase would be required to bring United Kingdom pensions up to the level of the highest pension rate in the European Community; and what that would cost in additional public expenditure in a full financial year.

Pensions in other member states of the European Community are usually related to length of the individual's contribution record and the level of earnings on which contributions have been paid. The relationship with the overall average wage in the country concerned will therefore vary from individual to individual. Details of pensions in all member states are set out in "Tables of Social Benefits in the European Community" published by the Department, a copy of which is available in the Library.