HC Deb 01 February 1965 vol 705 cc231-2W
Sir E. Errington

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate additional cost of increasing all public service pensions at basic rates by the percentage increase in the Index of Retail Prices since the year of retirement to 31st December, 1964.

Mr. MacDermot

No exact figure is available. The estimated figure is approximately £25 million.

Sir E. Errington

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average percentage increase in public service pensions awarded in 1939, 1945 and 1949, respectively, under the provisions of each of the Pensions (Increase) Acts up to and including the 1962 Pensions (Increase) Act.

Mr. MacDermot

Figures are not available for the public services generally. The best estimate that can be made for Civil Service pensions suggests that the average pension in 1939 was about £105, in 1945 about £120 and in 1949 about £135. The following table shows the percentage increase which each of these pensions would have received under each of the Pensions (Increase) Acts: