§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for the electricity discount scheme.
§ Dr. John Cunningham, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 5 February 1979; Vol. 962, c. 4], gave the following further information:
The groups eligible for help under the electricity discount scheme are people receiving supplementary benefit or family income supplement who should already have received a £5 payment towards fuel costs with their benefit for the week beginning 22 January. They also qualify for a discount on the winter quarter electricity board bill based on meter readings due between 1 January and 31 March 1979–1 February to 31 March in the South of Scotland. The discount is 25 per cent. of the amount by which the bill exceeds £20. People receiving rate or rent rebate or rent allowance also qualify for the discount but not the £5 payment.