§ Mr. Rookerasked the Prime Minister if it is Her Majesty's Government's intention to compensate (a) retirement pensioners, (b) other recipients of national insurance benefits and (c) recipients of means-tested social security benefits for price increases over the lifetime of the current Parliament.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have already made clear, the commitment we have given is to compensate pensioners fully for price increases over the lifetime of this Parliament. Decisions on benefits to others will be taken in the light of economic circumstances from time to time. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services announced in the House on 24 February that the power to abate certain benefits under section 1 of the Social Security (No. 2) Act 1980 would not be used this year.