§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when he expects to publish the annual copy of "Which Benefit? 60 Ways You can get Cash Help", showing the current rates;
(2) when he expects to publish the annual copy of "Family Benefits and Pensions", showing the current rates of benefit.
§ Mr. Prentice"Family Benefits and Pensions" and "Which Benefit?" covered a similar range of information on contributions and benefits, although originally intended for different readerships. However, because of its shorter, simpler and more uniform presentation, we believe that nearly all readers will find
All indices: April 1975=100 Retirement pension Earnings* Retail prices Month in year Index Per cent. increase since last rate Index Per cent. increase since last rate Index Per cent. increase since last rate April 1975 … 100.0 — 100.0 — 100.0 — November 1975 … 114.7 14.7 111.5 11.5 111.7 11.7 November 1976 … 131.9 15.0 126.2 13.2 128.4 15.0 November 1977 … 150.9 14.4 137.0 8.6 145.2 13.1 November 1978 … 168.1 11.4 155.3 13.3 156.9 8.1 November 1979 … 200.9 19.5 180.1† 15.9 l84.1 17.3 *Based on the movements in the seasonally adjusted index of average earnings (older series) from April 1975 to November 1976 and thereafter on movements in the index of average earnings (whole economy), unadjusted, as published by the Department of Employment. The whole economy index, which is more comprehensive than the older series index, did not exist before 1976. †'As at October 1979, the latest figure available (provisional). ‡ Based on the movements in the general index of retail prices as published by the Department of Employment.