§ 45. Dame Irene Wardasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the dissatisfaction on immutability in the field of pensions which is disadvantageous to those living on small fixed incomes, he will introduce legislation to enable appeals from those drawing pensions affected by immutability to go to arbitration, thus giving equality to all sections affected by inflation.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)No, Sir. The best way to help all who live on small fixed incomes and the way we have tried to follow is to keep inflation under control. If everyone is to contract out of inflation, I fear this will not make the task of controlling inflation any easier.
§ Miss WardMay I ask my right hon. Friend why that is laid down for those living on small fixed incomes when other people have the right to go to arbitration? Is it not a monstrous injustice, when the Conservative Party wants "one nation", to have two nations? Is not this a monstrous injustice to those living on small fixed incomes?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that the record of the last few years, both in regard to tax assistance and various other methods of helping those with small incomes, and in regard to Pensions (Increase) Acts and the stability of the cost of living, is a good record.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe hon. Lady does not agree.