HC Deb 15 August 1940 vol 364 cc951-2
36. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the poorer section of the community, such as the old age pensioners, have not the means to provide extra stocks of coal to meet the call of winter months; and whether he will give consideration to the fact that it is essential that we should take advantage of our present coal supplies and take the necessary steps to give an extra hundredweight a week to all in receipt of old age pensions?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The hon. Member will be aware that the regulations for supplementary pensions contain special provision for additional payments to meet needs due to winter conditions, and I think that these in effect meet the point of his question.

Mr. Tinker

As we have surplus stocks of coal and the question is where it shall be stocked, may I suggest that very good service could be performed by stocking it in the homes where it is needed, and especially in those of old age pensioners?

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