§ 12. Dame Irene Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what special action he is contemplating to help those living on small fixed incomes to meet increases in the cost of coal and rents.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe Finance Bill contains several provisions which will benefit those living on small fixed incomes.
§ Dame Irene WardWhilst certainly expressing my appreciation of what the Chancellor has done, may I ask if he is aware that it touches only a very small fringe? Since the introduction of the Finance Bill, we have had an increase in the price of coal and, presumably, of gas, electricity and transport—
§ Mr. NabarroThat is exactly what I said yesterday.
§ Dame Irene Ward—and all rents of controlled houses? What does my right hon. Friend now intend to do? Is he looking into the matter? I believe he has the plight of small fixed income groups very much at heart.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI understand that my hon. Friend has Questions on a number of these points put down to my right hon. Friends, and I will not anticipate their replies.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes not the Chancellor realise that the people with the smallest fixed incomes who are hardest hit are old-age pensioners? What is he going to do to alleviate their sad loss?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThat raises a somewhat different question—
§ Dame Irene WardNot at all.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI was answering about what I had done, and, as I say, the Finance Bill does contain a number of provisions which are helpful in this respect.