The ScotsmanThe problem was highlighted by Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan, who asked for details of pensioner income.
Finance minister Andy Kerr revealed that 280,000 pensioner households, or 44 per cent, have an annual income of less £10,000. A further 28 per cent make between £10,000 and £15,000 a year, while only 14 per cent have an income totalling more than £20,000.
BBC News OnlineCampaigners have been holding a march and rally in Glasgow calling for the legalisation of cannabis.
The group, part of the Scottish Socialist Party, has been campaigning to change the drug laws since 2000.
Scottish Socialist Youth (SSY) argues that cannabis is less harmful than either alcohol or tobacco. The SSP made reform of the drug laws a major plank of its election manifesto, claiming that the policy of drug prohibition has failed.
The march, from the city's George Square, moved on to a rally in Kelvingrove Park.
Smoking joints
An SSY spokesman said: "Most of those taking illegal drugs are young people involved in occasional recreational use.
"The vast majority of these smoke cannabis, which has been proved to be far less harmful than alcohol."
The party wants the immediate legalisation and licensed sale of cannabis and the decriminalisation of all other illegal drugs.
Strathclyde Police said the Bring Your Own Joints event passed off peacefully without any arrests.
Several members of the crowd of more than 100 were openly smoking joints, which police confiscated.
