§ 17. Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the resource implications for the health service in Scotland of the incidence of hypothermia in the winter months.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe NHS is very conscious of the potential for an increased incidence of hypothermia in the winter months and health board plans take account of the need to provide a higher level of services in winter.
§ Mr. DunnachieI thank the Minister for his reply, but is it not about time that something was done to help senior citizens and the long-term sick? Every year we read about people who have died as a result of hypothermia or from a disease caused by hypothermia, but nothing is done. Every year people are asked to write in and beg for money. 1076 Is it not time that the Government got off their behinds and made it compulsory for a payment to be made every year to every senior citizen in this land?
§ Mr. ForsythThe Labour party cannot hold a candle to the Government's record in terms of helping elderly people with the costs of heating. The hon. Gentleman would do well to familiarise himself with the keep warm this winter campaign run by the Scottish Office which has received every support from local authorities the length and breadth of Scotland.