§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Minister of Social Security if she is aware that on the average only 3s. of a weekly allowance is given to pensioners in receipt of supplementary benefit for extra winter fuel; and if she will take steps to increase substantially this allowance.
§ Mrs. Hart:I think the present arrangements are adequate, but it may be helpful if I explain them in more detail. The basic Supplementary Benefit rates are intended to cover normal requirements including heating. For people over pension age (and others) there is the 9s. long-term addition to meet special expenses such as the need for extra heating, but where special expenses total more than 9s., the Supplementary Benefit can be increased accordingly. If a person needs extra heating, 391W for example because of bad health or accommodation which is damp or otherwise difficult to keep warm, the reckon-able expense taken into account varies according to the price of coal in the area. The ordinary figure taken into account for extra heating is now in most areas rather more than 3s. but this can in any case be increased where a person's circumstances warrant this—for example if there is very serious illness or bad health combined with poor accommodation. I would emphasise that any amount allowed is continued throughout the year.