§ Mr. Goldingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the price of food increased for pensioners since 18th June, 1970 and November, 1969, respectively; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorThe Department of Employment's Retail Price Index for a single pensioner household showed an increase of 17.6 per cent. for food between the last quarter of 1969 and the second quarter of 1971, the latest period for which information is available. Between the second quarter of 1970 and the second quarter of 1971 the increase was 11.2 per cent. For two-person pensioner households the figures were 17.6 per cent. and 11.4 per cent. respectively.
The increases in pension rates which the Government made on 20th September have more than restored their 1969 value.
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