§ 9. Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the percentage drop in the purchasing power of the National Insurance pension since it was last increased in 1969.
§ Sir K. JosephIt is 9.2 per cent., based on the last available information from the General Index of Retail Prices.
§ Mr. StrangIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is widely expected that the Government will announce a long-overdue increase in the pension in the Budget, and that in view of his answer to my Question and the likely increase in prices during the next year an increase for couples of less than £3 a week would be quite inadequate and an increase of less than £2 a week would be positively derisory?
§ Sir K. JosephThe hon. Gentleman cannot expect me to comment on his suggestion, but we are firmly pledged to putting increased pensions into payment this year.
§ Mr. RidsdaleShould not it be quite clear from what has been happening that the two worst enemies of the pensioners are Mr. Jack Jones and Mr. Scanlon? Will my right hon. Friend do all he can, nevertheless, to hurry forward the pension increase to pensioners, who are in grave need because of the cost inflation which has been caused?
§ Sir K. JosephI acknowledge my hon. Friend's particular concern with the condition of the elderly, and confirm that what he says has a great deal of truth in it.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Government's withdrawal of subsidies on fares, rents and food has a very major effect on the position of old-age pensioners? I again ask him to return to his statement in the debate on 4th February that he was not bound to a two-year interval. I also ask him to consider the advice offered by the Sunday Times on Sunday to the effect that the review should be brought forward 1170 as rapidly as possible, and not later than June.
§ Sir K. JosephI must ask the hon. Lady and the House to await the Government's decision when it is made.
§ 17. Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of people over 80 who will become eligible for pensions as of right in 1971.
§ Mr. DeanAbout 50,000 if our proposals to provide pensions for persons over 80 who do not come within the scope of the 1970 Act are approved.
§ Mr. BakerWill my hon. Friend confirm that, as a result of the latest regulations, every lady reaching her eightieth birthday will receive a pension as of right, unlike the situation under the last Government?
§ Mr. DeanI ask my hon. Friend to await the Bill for precise details but I am glad to be able to assure him that that is the intention of the Government.
§ Mr. O'MalleyHow many of the 50,000 are already receiving Government help through supplementary benefit? How many of the remainder would have been entitled to supplementary benefit had they applied for it?
§ Mr. DeanAbout 15,000 people are getting some help through supplementary benefit arrangements at the moment. It is not possible to say whether there are some others who might be entitled had they applied.