§ 44. Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for special publicity to be given to the availability of heating allowances for the elderly, urging that they should not be deterred by the energy shortage from either claiming these allowances or from using sufficient heating in their homes ; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. DeanExtra allowances are payable to recipients of supplementary benefit where the circumstances are such that additional provision for heating is appropriate. The Supplementary Benefits Commission is conducting a review of existing cases and considering any potential cases referred to it under the continuing campaign launched last winter by local authorities with the aid of voluntary and charitable organisations to identify those at risk. Claims for heating allowances are not affected by the present energy difficulties, nor is any aged or sick person expected to deny himself adequate warmth. I do not, however, consider that a special publicity campaign on heating allowances is called for.