To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the cost of increasing the pensions from a current date of those retired public servants whose pensions were permanently depressed as a result of retirement during the 1970s and 1980s when their pay was held down by Government policy but later the subject of special reviews for those remaining in service, in accordance with the arrangements set out in Inland Revenue memorandum No. 12 of February 1974.

I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.