§ Mr. Manderasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what increase based on the cost of living in the amount of the 10s. old age weekly pension would be necessary to give it the same purchasing power as the pension possessed at the time of its introduction?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI am afraid that I do not altogether follow the hon. Member. If the amount of the old age pension were to be altered in order to give it the same purchasing power as the 10s. pension possessed at the time of its introduction, no increase at all would be necessary. On the contrary, there would have to be a reduction of rather more than 3s. a week.
§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Old Age Pensions League at Milltown of Balgonie drawing attention to the increased cost of living and the inadequacy of the present old age pensions and demanding an increase of 50 per cent.; and what steps, if any, is he prepared to take in this connection?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI would refer the hon. Member to my speech on the Motion for the Adjournment on the 6th of this month.