§ Mr. Gordon Wilson (Dundee, East)I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the refusal to grant fuel allowances to those in Scotland.In the course of my brief remarks I shall seek to persuade you, Mr. Speaker, that it would be extremely helpful to 5 million people if the House could discuss the matter.You will be aware, Mr. Speaker, that over the past two weeks or so there has been considerable comment, especially from Scottish Members, but from others as well, about the discriminatory nature of the existing system of severe weather allowances. The Department of Health and Social Security has given special allowances to those in the south of England who are affected by exceptionally cold weather. The trigger point for the allowances is 105 in Plymouth, whereas it is 129 in Aberdeen. In other words, there can be the same levels of temperature in different parts of the United Kingdom where the level in one area will attract supplementary benefit and heating allowances, whereas it will not in another. This discriminates effectively against those who live in colder climates.
The matter is specific because yesterday afternoon a statement was made by the DHSS—I gather that it was made informally—that no allowances were to be made to those in Scotland, notwithstanding the severe weather which it has encountered over the past 14 days. I gather also that a parliamentary answer will become available this afternoon that will confirm my information.
Those who have studied these matters will be well aware of the very snowy conditions in Scotland, especially in the Highlands, which have cut electricity supplies in many areas. In certain areas the temperature has been minus 22 degrees Celsius, which is extremely cold by any standards. Curling bonspeils, which are very rare events, are taking place because the ice on the lochs is sufficiently thick, due to the low temperatures, to support that sporting activity.
The matter is important because hundreds of thousands of people are affected adversely by the discriminatory actions of the DHSS. Up to 5,000 old people will die every year in Scotland because of insufficient money to buy adequate fuel to provide sufficient heat to maintain themselves at a living temperature.
No other subject has caused so much public concern in Scotland in recent weeks as the one that I am putting before you, Mr. Speaker. Scotland is being treated effectively as a second-class area. I ask you to consider adjourning the House, under Standing Order No. 10, to allow us to discuss this important matter. It is extremely urgent, because a good part of the winter is still before us.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. Wilson) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the severe weather payments which were made available to southern England last week which have been denied to those in Scotland this week, Scotland having suffered atrocious weather conditions in the past seven days".177 I have listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman has said. I regret that I do not consider the matter which he has raised as appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10. Therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.