Miss Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give figures to show to what extent the Pensions Increase Acts have kept pace with the rise in the cost of living since 1945 to 1954, respectively, 20W in respect of those persons to whom the Acts related, and showing food and fuel figures separately.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe increases made under the Pensions Increase Acts for the relief of hardship have never been closely aligned to changes in the retail price index or in the cost of particular commodities. It is not practicable to produce valid statistics on the lines which the hon. Lady has in mind, or to draw any general conclusions from such comparisons as might be made.