§ 1. Mr. AdleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many calls have been made to the Winter Warmth line; and what publicity has been provided pointing to its existence.
§ The Minister for Social Security and the Disabled (Mr. Nicholas Scott)To the end of January there had been approximately 5,000 calls to the Winter Warmth line. The publicity organised by the Department has included the preparation of two short public information films for television, and material for radio broadcasts. We are also placing advertisements in national and selected regional newspapers, and in magazines for elderly people.
§ Mr. AdleyI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Can he confirm that Help the Aged and Age Concern are fully supportive of the Government's initiative and are backing it; and can he tell me whether the information that is to be provided through the programmes will include information about entitlement to assistance under the severe weather payments scheme?
§ Mr. ScottCertainly Age Concern and Help the Aged have played a major part in the establishment and operation of the line. I think that it is a major and important example of co-operation between voluntary effort and expertise and public resources.
In answer to the second point, of course advice will be available to callers to the Winter Warmth line about exceptional cold weather payments.
§ Mr. FearnDoes the Minister agree that it would be better to increase pensions than to have the means test, which still applies when people have to apply for Winter Warmth?
§ Mr. ScottIf the hon. Gentleman is talking about exceptional cold weather payments, they are targeted on those people who need particular help. It would be an extremely wasteful use of public resources to provide such help for all pensioners rather than for those who need it most.