HC Deb 10 January 1978 vol 941 cc1422-3
6. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines he has sent to local authority social service departments in the Greater London area on dealing with hypothermia cases amongst old people in their areas.

Mr. Ennals

No specific guidelines have been issued for Greater London, but I am satisfied that in all parts of the country local authorities are well aware of their responsibilities in dealing with the problem of hypothermia.

Mr. Dykes

Does the Secretary of State agree that, although there has been a recent television advertising campaign, which I think has had a very good effect, there are considerable variations in the way in which individual local authorities deal with the problem? Does he agree also that there is need for much greater public consciousness of the problem so that people can try to look after the elderly in their individual roads and streets? Moreover, is there not a totally erroneous public impression that, as a result of the recent mild weather, the gravity of this problem compared with the previous year has now diminished?

Mr. Ennals

I do not think that we should overestimate the gravity of the matter. There is no firm evidence that the incidence of hypothermia among old people is very high. The last full figure that have—for 1976—shows that hypothermia was mentioned on fewer than 600 death certificates in England and Wales. The majority of these related to elderly people who were suffering from other conditions. As for efforts to increase public awareness, quite apart from what the local authorities do, the Health Education Council has renewed its campaign to bring the facts to the attention of the public, and that has been an essential element in the "Good Neighbour" campaign which has been designed to persuade ordinary individuals to be aware of the dangers and to encourage them to assist their neighbours.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

When the £5 electricity scheme was set up, was it envisaged that all supplementary benefit beneficiaries would get it, including, for instance, young school leavers and many others who are not responsible for paying any heating bills? Does not the Minister recognise that many people regard it as absurd that the £5 should go to those people when many elderly folk are very hard pressed to pay their fuel bills?

Mr. Ennals

The right hon. Gentleman is referring to a very small proportion. It is always the case with the Opposition that they pick on a very small proportion and try to make a great thing out of it. Where there is a youngster in the family who is dependent upon supplementary benefits, it is right that he should make a contribution to the family income to deal with his problems.

It is true that in January everyone getting supplementary benefit or family income supplement will receive £5 towards the cost of his electricity. In addition, those in those categories whose bill for one winter quarter exceeds £20 will be eligible for a discount of 25 per cent. I should have thought that the right hon. Gentleman would praise and thank the Government for taking these measures to ease the position of people with these problems.