§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the retirement pension and other social security benefits have been reduced in purchasing power since the date of the last increase due to the rise in the cost of living; and by how much he estimates there will be a further fall as a result of the proposals of the mini-budget and when the rise in rents, rates, fares, coal, gas, electricity and other announced increases are fully implemented.
§ Mr. DeanThe purchasing power of the standard rate of retirement pension and other national insurance benefits has fallen by 6s. for a single person and 9s. 8d. for a married couple since November, 1969. The second part of the Question is for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.