§ 26. Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the extensive range of price increases approved by the Price Commission on Monday 2nd July, he will implement immediately the proposed increase in retirement pensions.
§ Mr. DeanNo. In arriving at the substantial increase proposed for the beginning of October allowance was made for price increases in the intervening period.
§ 41. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will meet representatives from pensioner associations to discuss their immediate demand for a £10 and £16 pension.
§ Sir K. JosephArrangements are already in hand for a meeting with representatives of the National Federation of Old-Age Pensions Associations.
§ 58. Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many recent representations he has received asking him to increase the present disregard of £2 earnings for retirement pensioners receiving supplementary benefit to a figure more closely related to the fall in the purchasing power of the pound sterling.
§ Mr. DeanA precise count has not been kept but a number of such representations have been received. I explained our policy in this matter to the 57W House during the Second Reading debate on the National Insurance and Supplementary Benefit Bill.—[Vol. 855, c. 858.]