HC Deb 28 April 1969 vol 782 c159W
Mr. Eddie Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for concessions to be given to those people in receipt of social security supplementary benefits, and who reside in areas classified as smokeless zones, towards the higher cost of smokeless fuels compared with coal.

Mr. Pentland

Supplementary benefit scales are normally intended to cover ordinary living costs including the costs of heating, whatever fuel is used. But where people receiving supplementary benefit have unavoidable extra expenditure on heating not covered by any long-term addition payable or other resources, or have difficulty when first using smokeless fuel, the Supplementary Benefits Commission will consider making additional payments.