§ Mr. Bradfordasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will restore the extra fuel allowance to people in Northern Ireland on supplementary benefit or family income supplement; and if he will give his reasons for his decision.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 22 January 1981, c. 243]: No. Substantial additional resources have already been provided to hold down electricity tariffs in Northern Ireland. In addition, when the rates of supplementary berefit heating additions and family income supplement payable throughout the United Kingdom were uprated in November last, special account was taken of rising energy costs.