HC Deb 29 February 1972 vol 832 cc73-4W
57. Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many elderly persons in receipt of a supplementary pension are currently receiving a heating allowance of, respectively, 25p, 50p and 75p per week; and what is the total annual expenditure on this extra allowance over and above the cost of the long-term addition in these cases.

Mr. Dean

I regret that this information will not be available until the spring.

60. Mr. Millan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what special steps he is taking to inform elderly recipients of supplementary benefits of their eligibility for heating allowance.

Mr. Dean

A small minority of supplementary pensioners are eligible for special additions to meet exceptional needs for extra heating over and above the long-term addition of 50p a week. Visiting officers have standing instructions to look out for these cases. As I told the House on 7th February, plans for new visiting arrangements now being discussed on the Whitley Council provide for regular postal contact with supplementary pensioners in which their attention is drawn to the extra help, for heating and other things, available under the scheme.—[Vol. 830, c. 1103–8.]