Heating Costs (Assistance) (Hansard, 18 January 1982)

§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)
I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the need for the Government to provide adequate assistance for those on limited incomes, especially the elderly, to help to pay fuel bills for heating purposes during the course of this winter. The matter is specific in that my application deals with the immense difficulties faced by so many people on limited incomes in keeping their accommodation adequately heated and being able at the same time to meet the cost of doing so.
The importance of the matter is self-explanatory, bearing in mind the winter that we are experiencing. The urgency of the matter arises from the danger to so many people, especially the elderly, who, fearing the cost of forthcoming fuel bills, do not have proper heating in their homes. Doctors have warned of the danger to health in such circumstances. We know of hypothermia, which is a condition that kills. It applies especially to the very old and the very young.
The Government have issued guidelines to DHSS offices about some assistance that might be given, but it is not clear how many of those on supplementary benefit can claim. For example, can claimants receive assistance if they have any savings, or must they show that they have no money at all before they can receive assistance towards the cost of their fuel bills?
We should debate the matter because it is of extreme importance. It should also be borne in mind that no help will be given to the many people on limited incomes who are not in receipt of supplementary benefit. For example, there are three-quarters of a million pensioners in Britain who receive rent or rate rebates but do not receive supplementary benefit for various reasons. They will not receive a penny in aid, either this winter or at any other time, in order to pay their fuel bills. The Government must take much of the responsibility for the cost of fuel. The price of gas is rising by 30 per cent.—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Gentleman is now beginning to debate the issue that he would debate if his application were granted.

§ Mr. Winnick
The price of gas is rising by 30 per cent. in real terms over three years. I believe that the matter is specific and important to many people that we represent, so it is necessary to have an urgent debate. It is a sick scandal that so many people in the community, especially the elderly, should be depriving themselves of heat and trying to keep warm by wrapping blankets around themselves because they cannot afford fuel. I believe that the matter is important and I hope that my application will be granted.

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) gave me notice before 12 o'clock today that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the need for the Government to provide adequate assistance for those on limited incomes, especially the elderly, to help to pay fuel bills for heating purposes during the course of this winter. 47 The House will have no doubt about the importance of the issue. I repeat that my powers are limited. I have been instructed by the House to give no reasons for my decision. After listening with considerable concern to the representations of the hon. Gentleman, I must rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and therefore I cannot submit his application to the House.