§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, how many claimants in Scotland, in each of the years (a) 1983, (b) 1984 and (c) 1985 were awarded (i) extra heating additions at (x) the lower rate and (y) the higher rate, (ii) central heating additions at (x) the lower rate and (y) the higher rate, (iii) age-related heating addition, (iv) disabled person's heating addition, (v) estate rate heating addition and (vi) any other heating addition.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 85]: The information requested for 1983, the latest available year, is as follows:
Heating additions—Scotland Thousands Number of recipients Basic rate heating addition 64 Higher rate heating addition 48 Basic rate central heating addition 54 Higher rate central heating addition 26 Age related heating addition 44 Disabled person's heating addition 11 Estate rate heating addition 1 Others 2 Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry 1983.
§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which housing estates in Scotland are currently designated as hard to heat for the purpose of supplementary benefit claimants receiving estate rate heating additions; what are the current criteria for designation; and how many households in Scotland are currently in receipt of estate rate heating additions.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986, c. 373]: There are currently 174 certificates designating heating systems in Scotland as being disproportionately expensive to run under paragraph 6 of schedule 4 to the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983. Each certificate may cover the heating system or systems on one, part of, or more than one estate. I shall write to the hon. Member giving details of the estates concerned.
Estate rate heating additions are payable to supplementary benefit householders whose home is part of an estate with a heating system of which my right hon. Friend has in his discretion recognised the running costs to be disproportionately high. The factors taken into account in deciding whether or not to designate particular heating systems are set out in paragraphs 4293–4396 of the 'S' Manual of staff guidance, a copy of which is in the Library.
For information on the number of households in receipt of estate rate heating additions in Scotland, I refer the hon. Member to my other reply to him today.