§ Mrs. Castleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from Mr. Eric Camp, the retirement pensioner on hunger strike outside the House of Commons, intimating his intention of remaining on hunger strike until the pension and supplementary benefit are raised substantially; and if he will make a statement about the steps he intends to take to remedy his grievance.
§ Sir K. Joseph:Mr. Camp wrote recently to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my Department has been asked to reply. In accordance with usual practice, we are checking to ensure that Mr. Camp is receiving all the benefits he is entitled to, and a reply will be sent to him as soon as possible.
As I announced in the House on 22nd March, both retirement pensions and 107W supplementary benefits will be increased from October next. These increases will not only fully restore the value of pensions and supplementary benefits to last September's level, but they should also provide a real improvement in purchasing power.—[Vol. 833, c. 1501–8.]