HC Deb 31 October 1939 vol 352 c1746
61. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what in crease in the allowance to old age pensioners would be necessary to enable them to enjoy the same standard of living as they did a year ago?

Captain Crookshank

With the Ministry of Labour cost-of-living index figure of 165 for 1st October, 1939, it would be necessary to add about 7¾d. to the 10s. pension in order to enable old age pensioners to purchase as much with their pensions as they could have done a year ago, when the corresponding figure was 155.

Mr. Edwards

Would the Minister be good enough now to make a calculation for himself, and, with his usual genius, he might get a correct answer?

Mr. Holdsworth

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend not aware that the Ministry of Labour figures have no relation to the increase of prices?

Miss Wilkinson

Seeing that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's own middle name is Comfort, could he not do better for the old age pensioners than that?