To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further the answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 19 February 1991 Offical Report, columns 105–6, what contribution each means-tested benefit makes to the £0·9 billion difference between (a) and (b).

The savings which would be made by the reduced payment of income-related benefits would approximately be of the following magnitude: income support, £250 million; housing benefit, £330 million and community charge benefit: £180 million. Where income-related benefits are raised to prevent loss of entitlement, there are some extra costs, approximately £100 million, associated with an increase in pensioner premiums.