§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the fact that as a result of budgetary measures and EEC price increases planned by the end of the current year, the proposed increase in the autumn in retirement pensions will have been overtaken by these increases before January 1978, whether he will ensure that any such increases proposed will not only restore the pension to its purchasing value prior to October 1977 but will maintain it until at least the summer of 1978.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the value of the present State retirement pension if it had its same value in 1974.
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§ Mr. Orme£13.28 for a single person and£21.42 for a married couple, assuming that pensions had risen in line with the General Index of Retail Prices between March 1974, when the Government took office, and March 1977. The actual figures are£15.30 and£24.50 respectively.