§ 47. Mr. Jayasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will now raise the retirement pension so as to restore its purchasing power to the level of 1946.
§ Mr. JayIs the Minister not going to do anything at all about this? Will he not at least give an assurance that he will consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject before the Budget?
§ Mr. PeakeThe answer I must give to the right hon. Gentleman must be the same as that which I gave to the supplementary question which has just been asked in relation to war pensions.
§ Mr. JayWill not the Minister treat this important subject rather more seriously? Can he really hold out no hope of taking any action at all?
§ Mr. PeakeI hold out every hope that during the lifetime of this Parliament we shall be able to do something substantial for the old-age pensioners.