§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates there will be a further fall in the purchasing value of the retirement pensions as a result of his recent proposals when the rises in rents, fares, coal, gas, electricity, food prices, and other announced increases are fully implemented.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinIt is estimated that the effect of the new or increased social service charges and levy schemes for agriculture will be to increase the cost of living by less than 1 per cent. by April, 1972. Most pensioners will be exempt from most of the increased social service charges. I cannot at this stage estimate the effect of the other items referred to in the question.