§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that, whereas between October 1964 and 1969 the average increase in the indices of weekly wage rates was higher than the average increase in the General Index of Retail Prices for food, between December, 1970 and December, 1971, the position was reversed, what changes he now proposes in unemployment benefits to compensate for this reduction in real purchasing power.
§ Mr. DeanThe value of unemployment benefit as measured by the General Index of Retail Prices was more than fully restored by the uprating last September. As regards future increases in benefits, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend made on 16th December.—[Vol. 828, c. 852–59.]