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Mr. Christopher Hawkins
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for each year since its introduction (a) the value of the Christmas bonus for pensioners and (b) the cumulative increase in the retail price index.
Mr. Major
The level of the Christmas bonus has been £10 in each year since its introduction in 1972, except in 1975 and 1976 when it was not paid. The cumulative percentage increase in the retail price index for each year since December 1972 is shown in the table.
| December | Per cent. |
| 1973 | 10·6 |
| 1974 | 31·7 |
| 1975 | 64·5 |
| 1976 | 89·3 |
| 1977 | 112·3 |
| 1978 | 130·1 |
| 1979 | 169·8 |
| 1980 | 210·6 |
| 1981 | 248·0 |
| 1982 | 266·8 |
| 1983 | 286·3 |
| 1984 | 304·0 |
| 1985 | 327·0 |
| 1986 | 342·9 |