29. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that old-age pensioners, and others in receipt of social security benefits, are suffering hardship as a result of the requirements enforced by Smoke Control Orders; and what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the position.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have been carefully into this question, and I am advised that it does not necessarily cost more to use smokeless fuels than other types of fuel. But, as I told the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun), the National Assistance Board does consider exceptional cases on their merits.