HC Deb 05 March 1956 vol 549 cc167-8W
72. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the value of the retirement pension in proportion to the average wage earned in 1946, and at the nearest convenient date.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Taking the Ministry of Labour figures of earnings of men manual workers as a basis, the percentages are about 21 for 1946 and 18 at October, 1955. For women the corresponding percentages are 40 and 35.

73. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will estimate the cost of compensating retired pensioners for the increased price of bread and milk due to removal of the subsidy.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The cost of increasing the weekly rate of retirement pensions by 4d. would be about £4 millions a year at present.

74. Mr. Shurmer

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that the proposed increase in the price of bread and milk will cause hardship to old-age pensioners; and if he will increase pensions to meet this.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 27th February.