§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked thte Minister of Social Security in view of the official estimate that the £ sterling will be depreciated in purchasing value by 3 to 4 per cent. because of devaluation, that food prices will rise between 5 and 15 per cent., and that rents are to be increased, what action she now intends to take to increase old age pen- 320W sions and all those payments received by those on social welfare benefits.
§ Mrs. Hart:I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to the hon. Members for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes), Hertford (Lord Balniel) and Harwich (Mr. Ridsdale) on Monday 4th December and would draw his attention to the Government's calculation that the increase in the cost of living due to devaluation will be about 2½ to 3 per cent. The effect of rent increases, where they occur, on retirement pensioners and others with small incomes, is safeguarded in a number of ways, in particular the allowances made in assessing requirements for supplementary benefits and the Government's legislation relating to rebates for rent and rates.—[Vol. 755, c. 931–3.]