4. Miss Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardships experienced by people living on fixed incomes covered by the Pensions (Increase) Act, he will introduce legislation authorising a further increase and at the same time abolish the ceiling implicit in the present Act at which such increases can be paid.
§ Mr. H. BrookeHer Majesty's Government's policy on this matter is fully set out in the White Paper (Command 9092) issued last March. There has been no change in circumstances since then to modify the conclusion stated in paragraph 44 of that Paper.
Miss WardWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Government have been very busy saying that in the last 12 months we have had an era of increased prosperity? Will he bear in mind that the people referred to in my Question, who have no big powerful group to speak for them, have not had advantage from this new prosperous era, and will he ask his right hon. Friend to reconsider the position?
§ Mr. BrookeI will bear in mind anything the hon. Lady says, but the White Paper published in March did command a broad measure of support.