§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce measures in the coming winter to lessen the incidence of hypothermia amongst people over the age of 75 years.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Government are doing a great deal to help the least well-off pensioners to afford adequate heating; 90 per cent. of supplementary pensioners now receive a heating addition; at a total cost of £200 million this year. In particular, since 1980, automatic heating additions have been given for households on supplementary benefit with a member over 70 years of age.
569WIt is emphasised in publicity campaigns and in training for practitioners that everyone should be aware of the need for elderly people generally to keep warm in winter.