§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he will not initiate a scheme, if need be by legislation, whereby retirement pensioners and others on welfare benefits will be enabled to have the right of negotiation of their welfare benefits and an appeal to an arbitration tribunal if failure to agree with his Department is registered on a basis similar to that now in operation for civil servants and other Government-paid employees.
§ Mr. DeanBecause Parliament itself is the proper body to decide the general level of benefits and contributions.