§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made in reducing the time lag between the announcement of pension increases and their implementation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonAs in 1983, the pension increases which will take effect in November will be announced in June and will be based on the movement in the retail price index between May 1983 and May 1984. This is a shorter time lag than in previous years when November upratings were announced at the time of the Budget. For operational reasons, it is not at present possible to shorten further the period between the announcement and the operative date.