§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy on people in receipt of social security benefits being able to obtain free draught-proofing of their homes.
§ Mr. NewtonUnder regulation 18 of the Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981 No. 1528) supplementary benefit claimants may receive a lump sum payment of benefit to meet the cost of materials to carry out simple draught-proofing measures in their homes. So far as the future of these payments is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 19 December at column315.