asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the dates on which the Pension (Increase) Acts of 1956, 1959 and 1952 became effective; what was the percentage increase in the cost of living between each of those dates; and what it has been since the Act of 1962 became effective.

1st April, 1956, 1st August, 1959, and 1st January, 1963; 6·4 per cert. and 10·4 per cent. respectively; 10 per cent.