HC Deb 16 January 1980 vol 976 cc768-9W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of people over 75 years on supplementary benefit who will receive extra cash for heating, over and above what they already receive, as a result of the new Government measures announced recently to help people with fuel bills.

Mr. Prentice

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 22 October 1979 in announcing the new measures.—[Vol. 972. c. 35–36.]

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people over 75 years on supplementary benefit already receive an extra heating additional allowance; and what percentage of all pensioners over 75 years are on supplementary benefit.

Mr. Prentice

For the first part of the question I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 29 October 1979.—[Vol. 972, c. 438–43.] As to the second part, it is estimated that, in November 1978, approximately 26 per cent, of all retirement pensioners over the age of 75 were supplementary benefit recipients or the wives of supplementary benefit recipients.