As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State said, just over 900,000 people have responded as a result of our advertising campaign. The facts rather contradict the argument of the hon. The big problem that the Conservatives have is not that they are somehow concerned about means-tested benefits, but that they do not like paying more money to people who need help and would take it away if they got back in. Friend agree that around 50 per cent.
Friend is right to draw attention to one of the problems of the present pension system.
The basic state pension has many strengths and attractions, but one of its weaknesses is that someone without the required number of contributions will not get a full pension. The pension credit will be of great help to women who have some savings. As it will increase in line with earnings, it will benefit women significantly. All those measures are, of course, opposed by the Conservative party. Can the Secretary of State now give us an answer to the question asked by my hon.