HC Deb 12 January 1976 vol 903 cc4-6
3. Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what special consideration he has given to the problems of elderly people whose supplies of gas and electricity are cut off if they are unable to afford their bills.

Mr. Benn

Cases appearing to involve hardship are referred to the local offices of the Supplementary Benefits Commission or local authority social services before disconnection is carried out so that possible means of help can be considered. I intend to continue to take a close personal interest in this problem.

Mr. Ashley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many Members will have warmly welcomed that reply, because they are very concerned at the possibility of thousands of old and severely disabled people suffering hardship or dying as a result of hypothermia when the really cold weather inevitably comes? Will he now go one step further to reassure us by issuing a directive to the gas and electricity boards that no old person or severely disabled person shall have his supplies cut off unless the social services and welfare officials have had a full opportunity to investigate each case?

Mr. Benn

I shall consider what my hon. Friend suggested. Last summer, when the magnitude of the problem facing us this winter became apparent, I saw the industries concerned and wrote to all hon. Members—my hon. Friend will have received a letter—trying to make clear the way in which we should tackle the problem over the winter. I think that it will be a serious problem, but I am hopeful that by the mechanisms devised we shall find a way to avoid some of the worst dangers, though there may well be individual cases, which I hope will be brought to the attention of the boards as soon as they become apparent.

Mr. Rossi

Would it not be more sensible to consider providing thermal insulation grants to those most in need, rather than giving supplementary benefits to pay the higher fuel bills?

Mr. Benn

I appreciate the long-term importance of what the hon. Gentleman has said, but thermal insulation grants this winter would not help the people whom my hon. Friend had in mind with the large bills that will result from the increased tariffs.

Mr. Molloy

Is my right hon. Friend prepared to consider the proposal made by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) and to contact my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to see that a directive or circular goes to local authorities as well as the gas and electricity boards? That would confirm the liaison that exists in theory but in practice sometimes fails.

Mr. Benn

I shall consider any proposal, but I believe that the best guarantee that the matter will be handled sensibly is public discussion and discussion with the boards, rather than a specific directive of the kind proposed.

For example, in one area that I visited I discovered that the officer authorised to make a disconnection had discretion not to make it if the circumstances were such that it seemed proper to put the matter to the local branch of the Department of Health and Social Security or of the Supplementary Benefits Commission. I hope that that kind of approach will be very helpful.