§ Mr. Lawlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that a large percentage of aged people still refuse to incur the cost of using heating appliances in post-war dwellings; and if he will take steps to reduce such costs in view of his Department's recent national survey into costs of heating appliances in such dwellings.
§ Mr. EnnalsI know of no evidence to support the general statement in the first part of the Question about aged people in post-war dwellings. On the second part, the question of a reduction in the cost of using heating appliances is not for me but I would point out that old people who are entitled to supplementary benefits receive the long-term addition of 10s. a week to cover such198W items as any extra heating costs. If the addition is insufficient to meet a person's special circumstances, extra provision can be made.