§ Mr. Pounderasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a comparative table showing the rise in the cost of living, as compared with increases in the level of public service pensions, taking 1st January, 1946, as 100 in each case for the following dates, that is to say 1st January, 1950; 1st January, 1955; 1st January, 1960; and for the latest available date.
§ Mr. MacDermotA single figure cannot be given for the rise in the level of public service pensions between any two dates, since smaller pensions have received higher increases than bigger ones. The best estimate that can be made for the Civil Service (figures are not available for other public services) suggests that the average pension on 1st January, 1946, was about £120. Taking this as 100, the figures are:
Pension Cost of Living 1.1.46 … … 100 100 1.1.50 … … 121 116 1.1.55 … … 143 154 1.1.60 … … 171 172 1.1.65 … … 208 197