HC Deb 15 March 1993 vol 221 cc9-10
9. Mrs. Roe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner households had a telephone in 1979 and in 1990.

Miss Widdecombe

Only half all pensioner households had a telephone in 1979. This had risen to 87 per cent. in 1990 and 89 per cent. in 1991. This of course reflects the general improvement in pensioners' living standards since we took office in 1979.

Mrs. Roe

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Will she confirm that there has been not only an enormous increase in telephone ownership among pensioners, but a vast increase in the number of pensioner households with central heating? Does she agree that that is striking evidence of how the Government's economic policies have enormously benefited millions of pensioners?

Miss Widdecombe

Yes, indeed, I am pleased to confirm that, whereas in 1979, when we got rid of the Opposition, about 43 per cent. of pensioners had central heating, today 76 per cent.—[Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. This has been remiss of me. The question relates to telephones and I should be glad if questioners and those who answer would relate their remarks directly to the question on the Order Paper.

Miss Widdecombe

I am sorry, Madam Speaker, if I am out of order. A telephone is a consumable durable, as is central heating—

Madam Speaker

Order. In my book, there are two lines to this question, which asks how many pensioner households had a telephone in 1979 and in 1990. That is the question to answer.

Mrs. Helen Jackson

Given the Minister's reply, will she acknowledge that any suggestion tomorrow that VAT should be added to the cost of public utilities, such as telephone charges and other public utility charges, would have an extremely detrimental effect on pensioners' living standards?

Miss Widdecombe

The hon. Lady does not seem to understand what VAT is already charged on.

Mr. Thurnham

Is my hon. Friend aware that many pensioners in Bolton are using their telephones to ring the hotline run by Bolton hospital to seek counselling and advice on the problem of the doctor who had AIDS? Will she ask the Department of Health to give the hotline a little more information—

Madam Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman is now trying my patience. The question relates to the number of telephones. It has nothing to do with passing on information to Health Ministers. Does the hon. Gentleman have a direct question related to the question on the Order Paper? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Leave it to me.