§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now introduce a home insulation scheme to allow claimants on supplementary benefit and housing benefit 90 per cent. grants to cover costs of draught proofing as well as loft insulation.
§ Mr. John PattenI refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Dame J. Knight) on Wednesday 28 January at col.244.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy on the homes insulation scheme, in the light of the proposals made to him by Neighbourhood Energy Action.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 13 February 1987]: Neighbourhood Energy Action (NEA) have proposed that the changes to the homes insulation scheme should be extended to cover draught-proofing payments currently made by the DHSS. The future arrangements for help with the cost of materials for draught-proofing are under consideration between the relevant Government Departments concerned and the proposals made by NEA will be taken into account.