§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Minister of Social Security what study she has made to ascertain the effect of devaluation and the increase in the cost of living since the present rate of pension was fixed on the ability of retirement pensioners dependent solely on their pensions to obtain sufficient food, heating and comfort.
§ Mrs. HartThe real value of the pension, eleven months after devaluation, is 15 per cent. higher than in October, 1964, taking into account increases in the cost of food, heating, and other items which are important in an old person's budget. Pensioners who have no other resources than their retirement pension are also of course, entitled to supplementary benefit, the rates of which were increased this month.