HC Deb 29 April 1975 vol 891 cc73-4W
18. Mr. Grist

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied with the take-up of heating and dietary allowances for the elderly; and what steps she is taking to eliminate hypothermia in the elderly.

Mr. Alec Jones

The Supplementary Benefits Commission has recently eased and extended the criteria under which extra heating additions are awarded. We have no reason to think that supplementary pensioners who follow special diets are not getting the extra dietary additions to which they are entitled. My Department has drawn the attention of health and local authorities to the need to take such steps as may be practicable to assist old people at risk from suffering from the effects of cold.