§ 28. Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will introduce legislation to provide for a six-monthly review of the State pension and related benefits.
§ Mrs. CastleNo, Sir. The proposed increases, of £2.25 in the standard single and £3.50 in the married rates of pension, are in themselves a major step forward. To this must be added our undertaking that thereafter pensioners should be protected by having their pensions linked to average national earnings. This is an entirely new commitment.