§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of National Insurance the basic retirement pension for single and married couples on 1st January, 1951, and on the latest date; and how far the present amount is less in purchasing power than on 1st January, 1951, due to the depreciation in the purchasing value of the pound sterling.
§ Mr. PeakeOn 1st January, 1951, the standard rates were 26s. for a single person and 42s. for a married couple, and they are now 32s. 6d. and 54s., respectively. On the basis of the Official Index of Retail Prices the equivalent in October, 1952, of 26s. and 42s. in January, 1951, would be 30s. 8d. and 49s. 7d.