HC Deb 20 January 1969 vol 776 c26
28. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will publish a cost of living index especially for pensioners.

Mr. Hattersley

On the recommendation of the Cost of Living Advisory Committee my right hon. Friend has arranged for the compilation of special indices of retail prices for the one-person and two-person pensioner households which are excluded from the weighting pattern of the Index of Retail Prices.

Mr. Hill

As price increases hit pensioner households harder than the rest of the population, is it not important that this survey should start very soon to get an index for pensioners established, bearing in mind that the increase in the cost of living since October, 1964, is now no less than 19 per cent.?

Mr. Hattersley

It would be unwise to anticipate what the index will say. I do not disagree about the need to get it operating as quickly as possible. My only reservation is concerned with the absolute need to make sure that it is an accurate index and is known to be accurate, and that is the sort of process which is now going on.

Mr. Higgins

Can the hon. Gentleman say when we are likely to have available an analysis of the different patterns of consumption and when the index is expected to be ready and in operation?

Mr. Hattersley

I could not give a precise date for either of those things.