HC Deb 04 June 1965 vol 713 cc303-4W
Sir F. Bennett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, in terms of real

Pre-Budget Budget Increase Percentage Increase
£ £ £
Up to 12 cwt. … … 12.0 18.0 6.0 50
12 cwt.—16 cwt … … 12.15 19.5 6.10 51
16 cwt.—17 cwt. … … 12.15 20.5 7.10 59*
17 cwt.—20 cwt … … 13.10 20.5 6.15 50
20 cwt.—22 cwt … … 13.10 21.10 8.0 59*
22 cwt.—25 cwt. … … 14.5 21.10 7.5 51
25 cwt.—30 cwt … … 14.15 22.5 7.10 51
30 cwt.—35 cwt. … … 15.5 23.0 7.15 51
* I explained why these percentages are higher than the rest during the Committee debate on 20th May (OFFICIAL REPORT, Col. 1682).

purchasing power according to the cost-of-living index, taking into account the already announced May figure, is the value of the present retirement pension for individuals and married couples compared, respectively, with when the new rates were first announced, and with the value of the old rates on 13th October, 1964.

Mr. MacDermot

The figure published in May related to the Index of Retail Prices as at 13th April. The corresponding figure for May will not be available until mid-June. The figures for the value of the present retirement pension given in reply to the hon. Member's question on 28th May last are therefore still the latest available. They can be compared with the previous rates of pension of £3 7s. 6d. for single persons and £5 9s. 0d. for married couples.