§ Dr. Gilbertasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received that disabled persons for whom a telephone is essential should be given more assistance from the Supplementary Benefits Commission.
§ Mr. DeanI understand from the Supplementary Benefits Commission that no record is kept of representations exclusively concerned with seeking help with a telephone for disabled persons. But it is estimated that over the last three months some 70 representations have been received at the Commission's headquarters including about 20 direct from members of the public. These have related to both elderly and disabled people. Most representations have been in respect of elderly people whose resources in any case put them outside the scope of the supplementary benefits scheme.