§ 96. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Social Security what allowance she is proposing to cover increases in electricity charges so that these will not fall more harshly on pensioners than increases in rates or the price of coal.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Social Security whether she is aware that all those in receipt of welfare benefits are to have their electricity bills increased by 8 per cent. to 15 per cent. in the autumn; and what action she proposes to take to increase all welfare benefits to compensate for these increases.
§ Miss HerbisonAs the hon. Members will know, electricity prices are only one item of one group of a whole range of commodities and services which are covered by the official Index of Retail Prices: and many other factors are taken into account in the continuous assessment of the value of social security benefits.