§ Mr. Wrayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether Her Majesty's Government will support Danish and other European Community Government proposals for mandatory aid to retirement pensioners and other needy social groups during severe weather conditions.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Government already provide help when it is very cold through the supplementary benefit exceptionally cold weather scheme. Last winter, we estimate that over 950,000 people received help, at a benefit cost of £10.2 million. Any proposals from the European Community would be considered on their merits.