Mr. Jenkinsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the insufficiency of a pension of 10s. per week for adult persons, on account of the substantial increase in the cost of living during last month, the Government proposes to introduce legislation for the purpose of increasing pensions to a standard adequate for maintenance?
§ Mr. E. J. Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the steep rise in the cost of living recently, he will favourably consider the demand of old age pensioners for an increase of their pensions?
§ Mr. Dobbieasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the increasing number of old age pensioners making a call upon the public assistance authorities owing to the rise in the cost of living is causing a serious increase of rates in industrial centres, he will consider taking over this responsibility by increasing the payments to old ape pensioners, so that they may live without recourse to the public assistance committee?
§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the rise in the cost of living last month, he is 1078W now in a position to make a further statement in regard to the Government's intentions concerning the amount of old age pensions?
§ Captain CrookshankNo Government has ever claimed that the rate of old age pension is sufficient to enable a pensioner to maintain himself without any other resources. The cost of living has not risen by more than was to be anticipated on the outbreak of war, and the cost of living index is still substantially lower than it was either in December, 1919, when the rate of pension was raised to 10s., or in August, 1925, when the contributory pension scheme was passed. In view of the very large expenditure involved in even a small general rise in the rate of old age pension, the Government regret that they cannot see their way at the present time to introduce legislation with a view to increasing the rate.