§ Mr. Elliot Morley (Glanford and Scunthorpe)I beg leave to present two petitions from my constituency. The first one was raised by Mrs. Hobden and deals with the problem of state pensions. In 1979, the link between state pensions and average earnings was broken by the Government and pensions were linked to the retail prices index, since when the value of state pensions has declined appreciably in true relative terms.
The petition calls on the Government to link state pensions with the best available pensions in Europe at present. Many countries in Europe have far superior pensions to those in this country. People who have worked and contributed to state pensions all their lives deserve far better treatment than they have received under the Government in terms of pensions and social benefits such as free television licences.
The petition reads:
The Humble Petition of residents of Glanford and Scunthorpe sheweth That there is a need to improve State Pensions. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House will restore the earnings link between pensions and average earnings ended in 1979 and bring state Pensions into line with the best in Europe.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray
§ To lie upon the Table.