§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the operation of this year's severe weather payment scheme; and whether he is able to estimate the level of uptake of this year's scheme.
§ Mr. MajorWe are satisfied that the new rules for exceptionally cold weather payments are simpler and easier to understand and that as a result of widespread publicity more people have been helped this winter and payments have been made far more quickly than under any previous system of exceptionally severe weather payments. It is not yet possible to make an estimate of take-up among eligible groups.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants have now received £10 severe weather payments in Scotland.
§ Mr. MajorInformation is not available in the form requested.
Up to 3 March 1987 some 285,000 £5 exceptionally cold weather payments were made in Scotland.