§ 39. Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate how his Department assesses the various age and income groups' fuel requirements for a one, two and three-bed-roomed house, respectively; whether the age and state of health is provided for in all such assessments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI assume that the hon. Member has the supplementary benefits scheme in mind. The scale rates, which cover normal fuel requirements, take account of the size of the family, but do not vary with the type of accommodation, since housing costs are dealt with separately. Those who have exceptional needs for extra heating, because of bad accommodation or poor health, receive special additional payments to cover this expense. As I told my hon. Friend, the Member for Reading (Dr. Vaughan) on 26th November, these payments are being improved.—[Vol. 807, c.210–11.]
§ 80. Mrs. Kellettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the rise in fuel costs, if he will consider a special fuel allowance for the coming winter for retirement pensioners as an emergency measure.
§ Sir K. JosephNo. Those on supplementary benefit, however, will be helped by the increases in the scale-rates which came into effect on 2nd November. And, as I told my hon. Friend the Member316W for Reading (Dr. Vaughan) on 26th November, the Supplementary Benefits Commission are improving the provision made for those claimants who are in special need of extra heating.—[Vol. 807 c. 210–11.]