§ 47. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, having regard to the experience of the last winter in Sheffield when the demand for supplementary benefits to meet fuel bills exceeded the number of supplementary payments made, he will take steps to ensure that all those whose need is real and pressing will be able to make suitable claims in the coming winter.
§ Mr. Newton:Subject to the normal qualifying conditions for a single payment, supplementary benefit recipients may be entitled to a special lump sum to help with fuel bills if a period of exceptionally severe weather has resulted in greater than normal fuel consumption. I accept that there were difficulties in operating these provisions last winter, and they are currently being reviewed.