§ 41. Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the purchasing power of the standard retirement pensions now, as compared to the level at which they stood immediately after the increase in November, 1969.
§ Mr. DeanAs measured by the General Index of Retail Prices to August, 1971, the purchasing power of the single pension is 18p, that is, 3.1 per cent. higher. The corresponding figure for a married couple is 28p, or 3.0 per cent. higher.