§ 44. Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received a copy of the survey carried out by the centre for environmental studies on hypothermia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI have recently received a copy of the paper summarising the findings of the survey, which was published in the British Medical Journal on 27th January. I will need time to consider in detail its findings and recommendations which have far-reaching implications.
§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if his Department will issue advice on the development and use of warning systems for retirement pensioners to detect either low room temperature or low body temperature, or both;
(2) if he will set up a co-ordinating committee consisting of medical and social scientists and administrators to consider the cost effectiveness, practicability and usefulness of methods to prevent old people suffering from the cold.
§ Sir K. JosephThe hon. Member will be aware that recommendations to this62W effect appear in the report of the survey published in the British Medical Journal on 27th January 1973 and I would refer him to my reply today to his Question on that survey.