§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that, taking into account the general rise in the cost of living and the extra rise in the basic foodstuffs since June, 1970, retirement pensioners on supplementary allowances are worse off now even with pension increases than in June, 1970, after allowing for their supplementary allowances being reduced by the amount of their pension increases; and whether he will ensure that all pension increases are paid without the reduction in supplementary allowances.
§ Mr. DeanImprovements in supplementary pension rates since June, 1970, have more than kept pace with price 387W Increases as measured by the Index of Retail Prices. As my right hon. Friend announced in the House on 16th December, annual reviews of retirement pension will in future ensure that supplementary pensioners do not receive a smaller increase in alternate years because they have received part of their increase in the preceding year.—[Vol. 828, c. 852–9.]