§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the behaviour of prices and retirement pensions and benefits over the two periods October, 1964, to June, 1970, and June, 1970, to October, 1972, and compare the real value of pensions and benefits in the two periods.
§ Mr. DeanIt is estimated that the average weekly amount paid out in August, 1972, was £87 million compared with £75 million a week in August, 1971.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in 353W view of the fact that in many cases it is to the advantage of those in receipt of contributory retirement pensions to forsake these pensions and obtain supplementary pensions and allowances, he will take steps to advise all pensioners in this situation of the advantages in switching to supplementary benefits on a non-contributory basis.
§ Mr. DeanNo.
In general people are required by law to pay the contributions which give them title to retirement pension. Supplementary benefit, as its name implies, is intended where appropriate to bring a person's income from contributory benefits or other sources up to the level laid down by Parliament.