§ Mrs. Emmetasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the maximum pension of a Civil Service clerical officer in 1939; by what percentage and from what dates it has since been increased by each of the Pensions (Increase) Acts since enacted; what was the percentage increase over the 1939 figure in the cost of living at each of these dates; and what have been the total percentage increases up to 1st April, 1962, in the pension and in the cost of living; and by what percentage a corresponding pension of that date exceeds the 1939 pension.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe maximum pension for a male clerical officer employed in London who retired in 1939 after 40 years' service was £175. Subsequent increases in pension and the cost of living have been:—
Date Percentage increases on basic pension Percentage increase in cost of living over1939 (cumulative) 1st January, 1944 25 28 1st December, 1946 5 32 1st October, 1952 15 79 1st April, 1956 10 106 1st August, 1959 18½ 120 The total increase in the pension to 1st April, 1962 was 73½ per cent. and the cost of living was then 141 per cent. above the 1939 level. A corresponding pension beginning on 1st April, 1962, exceeds by 37¾per cent. the 1939 pension as increased.
NOTES:
1. Before 1956 increases were subject to reduction on account of other income above certain limits and the rates of increase were lower for unmarried pensioners.
2. The cost-of-living figures are based on the following Ministry of Labour indices:
- 1939 to June, 1947—Cost of Living Index.
- June, 1947, to December, 1955—Interim Index of Retail Prices.
- January, 1956, to April, 1962—Index of Retail Prices.