§ 74. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his Department's assessment of the mean temperature needed to maintain the health and comfort of pensioners in the light of the recent report of Task Force, a copy of which is in his possession; when he expects to complete his discussions with the Secretary of State for the Environment about the mutual problems raised in the report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI have already given advice on the desirable temperature in the leaflet recently distributed to local authorities, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I cannot yet say when the consultations with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be complete.
§ 75. Mr. Woodhouseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what weekly sum is treated by his Department as a reasonable minimum for a single pensioner to live on if he or she has no resources other than the State retirement pension.
§ Mr. DeanA single householder who has no resources apart from the national insurance retirement pension is entitled to a supplementary pension sufficient to bring his total weekly income up to £7.15—£7.40 is he is over 80—plus an allowance for rent.
§ 76. Mr. Woodhouseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what weekly sum is treated by his Department as a reasonable minimum for a married couple to live on if they have no other resources than the State retirement pension.
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§ Mr. DeanA married couple who have no resources apart from the national insurance retirement pension are entitled to a supplementary pension sufficient to bring their joint total weekly income up to £11.25—£11.50 if either of them is over 80—plus an allowance for rent.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the present number of retirement pensioners, male and female, in Scotland.