§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Social Security whether she is aware that since her action to cushion the effect of devaluation on pensioners and others, fares, rents and cost of repairs have risen and the latter now have to be met by council tenants, television licences and postal charges are being increased and a 50 per cent. increase in charges for park chairs is proposed; and whether, in view of these increases she will review welfare payments.
§ Mrs. HartThe rates of pension introduced last October increased their real value by 20 per cent. compared with the rates we found on taking office, and by far the greater proportion of that improvement is still retained. The increases in supplementary pensions and benefits which will take effect in October are designed to protect those likely to be hardest hit by price increases.