§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that, during the past 12 months, the price of all foodstuffs have greatly increased, particularly bread, milk, butter, cheese and bacon, and that further increases are pending; and, as these price increases will most adversely affect the retirement pensioners just before Christmas, whether he will take steps for the week before, during, and after Christmas to double the retirement pension.
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§ Sir K. JosephThe recent increases more than restored the purchasing power of retirement pensions and I have no plans for adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reply he has given to the petition from retirement pensioners asking for an increase in the pension.
§ Sir K. JosephThe only petition of this nature presented recently was addressed to the House of Commons and not to me. Having recently increased pensions substantially, the Government are determined to bring down the rate of inflation.