§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the purchasing power of the new pension rates introduced on 23 November is less than that in November 1980.
§ Mr. RossiThe November 1980 single person and married couple rates of basic retirement pension would, at October 1981 price levels, have had a greater purchasing power of 50p and 80p respectively than the rates introduced in November 1981. However, since the present Government came into office pensions have risen by almost 52 per cent. against a rise in prices of nearly 50 per cent. over the same period.