To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 3 February, Official Report, column 96, on raising state pensions, what would be the cost separated between employer and employee on average earnings for the changes proposed.

The combined weekly cost in extra national insurance contributions of the proposed changes to a man on average earnings and his employer would be (a) £6 and (b) £5·50. This estimate assumes an equal split between employer and employee.