§ 23. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that the recent relaxation of the earnings rule does not meet the financial difficulties of retirement pensioners having regard to the present increased cost of living; and if he will reconsider the rates of pension in order to bring them nearer to the present cost of living of retirement pensioners.
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§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe hon. and learned Member's question is based on a false hypothesis. The cost of living is virtually the same today as when pensions were substantially increased in January last year.