§ 45. Mr. McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she is now able to give a date for the publication of special indices of retail prices for pensioner households.
§ Mr. HattersleyI regret that I am unable at present to give a firm date, but my right hon. Friend expects to be able to publish the figures by the end of June.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonThat is a most disappointing Answer. Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that there are many pensioners who are sick and tired of waiting for jam tomorrow, while the Government, in this respect, say that they can do nothing for them?
§ Mr. HattersleyI am impressed by the picture of old-age pensioners urgently awaiting the production of another Government statistical index, but the hon. Gentleman will understand that the compilation of such a series takes time, certainly if we are to produce it accurately and in a way which is seen to be accurate. That is essentially what we shall be doing between now and June.