§ 89. Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the pension and supplementary allowances of old people in the light of the trends of the cost of living.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe retirement pension is worth substantially more in real terms than when we took office. As my hon. Friend knows, the recent increase in supplementary benefits was specially designed to help those most in need of protection from the effect of increased prices.
§ Mr. Bidwellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the value in real terms of the basic state retirement pension for a couple now at £7 6s. compared with April, 1965.
§ Mr. PentlandThe present equivalent value of the retirement pension payable in April, 1965 to a married couple is £7 6s. 9d.