§ Mr. Foulkes: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has not answered the question about severe weather payments tabled by the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley for written priority answer on 26 January.
§ Mr. MajorI refer the hon. Member to my reply to him and to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 26 January 1987 at columns88–89.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of advertising of the £5 cold climate allowance; what is the estimated cost of administration of the scheme(a) in the current year and (b) in January 1987; and what other expenditure has been incurred, apart from the cost of the payments themselves.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) on what date leaflets on the system of severe weather payments in force prior to the statement to the House on 13 January, were to be available in benefit offices in Leeds;
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that those entitled to severe weather payments receive them;
(3) by what method claimants for severe weather payments are to initiate their claims;
(4) what information was available at benefit offices on severe weather payments following the statements to the House on 13 and 20 January.
§ Mr. MajorI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 15 January, at columns297–98, which contained details of publicity arrangements for extra help with heating costs because of the exceptionally cold weather.
Standing instructions about the operation of the scheme were issued to the Department's local offices in November 1986. Draft leaflets, which could be reproduced locally if necessary, were included with those instructions. Supplies of the leaflets proper and posters were issued to local offices during the week commencing 12 January 1987.
Leaflets and advertisements in the press include a simple claim form to be taken or sent to the local office. Offices were also instructed to accept claims other than on the special claim form. Offices are taking all steps available 370W to ensure that potential claimants are aware of their entitlement and are giving priority to making payments as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what extra resources he has made available to benefit offices to enable them to process severe weather payment claims without detriment to other work.
§ Mr. MajorAn addition equivalent to 300 overtime man-years has been allocated to local offices of the Department to process cold weather payment claims, at a cost of some £4 million. This should also ensure that other work is not affected.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications have now been received for the £5 severe weather payments for the week 12 to 18 January; how many had been paid by 26 January; and what is each figure as a percentage of the estimated number of people eligible.
§ Mr. MajorI refer the hon. Member to my reply to him and to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 26 January 1987 at columns88–89.
Local Offices have been asked to give priority to making exceptionally cold weather payments. Because they are concentrating their efforts on this rather than on the statistical records, the further information requested is still not available. Details of the number of applications received and payments made will be provided in due course.