§ 4. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retirement pensions were given up from April to October, 1970, due to the death of such persons.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Paul Dean)About 200,000 in the period from the beginning of April to the end of October, 1970.
§ Mr. DempseyDoes this not suggest to the Minister that if he waits until the end of the year before increasing the retirement pension thousands of pensioners will die off without receiving any at all? Does he not realise that even those who are spared will be living in poverty by the end of the year because of galloping price inflation? Are these not valid reasons for increasing the pensions now?
§ Mr. DeanI cannot add to the clear commitment that my right hon. Friend has given the House that pensions will be increased this year. Perhaps I can remind that hon. Gentleman that there are well over 100,000 very old people now getting the over-80 pension which was refused by his Administration.