§ 45. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider providing extra help with the heating costs of poor families and old people living in smokeless zones.
§ Mr. DeanNo, Sir. It would be inappropriate to single out any one element of general living costs or one particular form of fuel for special treatment. The Supplementary Benefits Commission already helps in appropriate cases where a supplementary benefit recipient incurs extra expense in the initial period of adjustment from one form of heating to another. Where there are continuing exceptional heating expenses the commission will consider making a discretionary addition to benefit.