HC Deb 09 May 1978 vol 949 cc430-1W
Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Hoyle) Official Report, 24th April, column 437, he will show the real value of increases in State pensions for: (a) a single person and (b) a married couple since 1946, taking October 1967 as base 100.

Mr. Orme

The following table shows the real value of retirement pensions at uprating dates since 1946, for a single person and a married couple, in both money and percentage terms, taking October 1967 as base 100.

satisfied with the standards of care provided by the personal social services.

Mr. Ennals

Standards of care vary, depending on the problems of individual authorities and their differing degrees of commitment. I hope that standards will improve further as more resources become available and the number of trained social services staff increases.