Lieutenant-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the increase in the cost reliving at the present time is about 130 per cent. compared with the period before the outbreak of war, whether any increase has been made in the pensions scale of Civil servants to assist in meeting this increase; if not, whether the Government has the matter under consideration; and what action they propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BALDWINI cannot accept 130 per cent.—which is merely the amount of the average change of retail prices—as the correct figure for the increase in the cost of living, which was found by the Sumner284W Committee to be only 80 per cent. in the case of urban working-class households. The question of an addition to the pensions of Civil servants has been carefully considered by both the present and the late Governments. The Government is not prepared to introduce legislation to secure the proposed increase, the cost of which would be prohibitive.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNasked the Secretary to the Treasury what steps it is proposed to take to increase the pensions of retired Government employés to meet the increased cost of living?
§ Mr. BALDWINThis question has been carefully considered by both the present and the late Government. The Government is not prepared to introduce legislation—as would be necessary—to secure the proposed increase, the cost of which would be prohibitive.