asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether he will expedite the report of the committee considering the possibilities of an increase in the old age pension, to enable whatever increase is recommended to became operative for the week before Christmas?

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 30th November to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the many questions upon the subject are evidence of the real need for early action?

Could I not press the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to give us something more definite in regard to this question?

asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether, now that the principle of a rent allowance has been conceded in the case of soldiers' families, he will consider this in the case of old age pensioners also, as being a simple method of balancing cost of living costs as between town and country, and as being free from the disadvantages of public assistance relief?

While I note this suggestion, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the great Majority of old age pensioners draw their pension by virtue of their contributions, and I hardly see how under a contributory scheme insured persons could be entitled to rates of benefit varying between town and country while subject to uniform rates of contribution.