HC Deb 19 February 1968 vol 759 cc30-1
66. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the result of the consideration given to establishing a cost-of-living index for old people; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hattersley

The desirability of calculating and publishing retail prices indices for special social and income groups is one of the matters being considered by the Cost of Living Advisory Committee. My right hon. Friend expects to receive its report in the next few months.

Mr. Ridsdale

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that such an index is urgent, particularly as those who retired on low fixed incomes are the worst hit by devaluation and present rising prices?

Mr. Hattersley

As the hon. Gentleman knows, steps will be taken to protect some of the classes to whom he referred from the rising prices involved in devaluation. Notwithstanding that, I have a great deal of sympathy for the theory that individual group indices should be cultivated. But the last time the Cost of Living Advisory Committee made a recommendation on this point it did not agree with the view that both the hon. Member and I hold.

Mr. Henig

Would my hon. Friend say whether if such an index had already existed it would have shown that the rise in the cost of living for these people was more or less than the rise in their incomes since October, 1964?

Mr. Hattersley

That question contains two hypotheses, and I think I will answer neither.