§ 5. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that before old-age pensioners receive their proposed increases in pension rates in April next, there will have been increases which have been announced in the prices of various foods and services; that, due to the rise in the cost of living, applications for wage increases are now being negotiated for many trades, and that this will again increase the cost of living; and what action he proposes to take to see that the old-age pensioners do not lose in purchasing value their proposed increases due to the rise in prices of the articles and services that they normally purchase.
§ Mr. MarplesParliament dealt with the question of rates of pension as recently as last month.
§ Mr. LewisThat answer completely evades the question. Is the Minister not aware that the old-age pensioners do not receive their increases until April, and that the latest figures in the Ministry of Labour Gazette for food, rent and rates, fuel and light have all gone up in one month, November to December, by very large amounts? There are prophecies also of increases in electricity, gas and fares. It means that these people will not be getting any increase at all. Does not the Minister think that something should be done about that?
§ Mr. MarplesI would not accept all the implications of the hon. Gentleman's original Question or supplementary question. If my right hon. Friend has to take into account every variation in the cost of living, it will really mean that nothing will be done at all.