§ Mr. Raphael Tuckasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the result of his publicity campaign in relation to paying old-age pensioners through the Supplementary Benefits Commission the £4 per annum increased charge for telephones; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. O'Malley:No such campaign has been opened. As I said when replying to questions from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) on 13th April, the Supplementary Benefits Commission can help a supplementary pensioner with the cost of installing a telephone if he is unable to pay for it himself and the Commission is satisfied that a telephone is essential. Any increase in rental charges would be taken into account if the pensioner was unable to meet them himself.—[Vol. 799. c. 1000–1.]