§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the year-on-year increase in the pensioner index published in the Employment Gazette, for each year since 1970.
§ Mr. BiffenFollowing is the information:
Annual average percentage increases: all items (excluding housing) Year One person pensioner households index Two person pensioner households index 1971 10.1 9.9 1972 7.6 7.4 1973 9.6 10.2 1974 16.1 16.2 1975 25.8 25.3 1976 19.1 18.8 1977 16.8 16.8 1978 8.1 8.0 1979 11.7 11.9 *1980 16.0 14.3 *Comparison of 1979–80 third quarter figures.