§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the pensioners' index and its part in the uprating of pensions; if he has received any representations on the composition of such an index from Age Concern; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonIn the last six months I have received 20 representations from right hon. and hon. Members and members of the public concerning the retail price index, which is used as the basis for uprating pensions. In December 1982 Age Concern published a paper which discussed the case for an alternative price index for pensioner households. I have considered that index but have decided that it does not provide any improvement on the retail price index, which remains the best available measure on which to base pension increases.