§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with back-up services by his Department to monitor and protect aged persons living alone from the danger of conditions associated with hypothermia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Department does not directly monitor the services provided for individual elderly people by local and health authorities, voluntary bodies and the wider community. But the Government are doing a great deal to help the poorest in the community to afford adequate heating. Supplementary benefit heating additions, on which we are spending over £380 million this year, are now worth more than ever before and are given to 90 per cent. of supplementary pensioners. We intend to continue to protect elderly people from undue hardship to the extent that the country's resources permit.