§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT all local authorities which have not instituted insulation programmes as a result of his circular 33/72.
§ Sir K. JosephThis information is not centrally available.
§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will formulate proposals for improving space heating and insulation to the homes of those pensioners likely to suffer from hypothermia.
§ Sir K. JosephI have already, in collaboration with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, issued guidance to local authorities on ways and means of improving space heating and insulation in the homes of elderly people susceptible to cold. The need for additional guidance will be reviewed in the light of experience.
§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will seek to encourage the development and use of a low-wattage electric under-blanket designed for the use of pensioners;
(2) if he will consider seeking powers to give free low-wattage electric under-blankets to old people likely to suffer from low body temperatures.
§ Sir K. JosephSuch blankets are commercially available and local authorities have power to give this form of help to462W elderly people found to require it. Whether it is to be preferred to alternative methods of securing additional warmth is a matter requiring further consideration.
§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will launch an advertising campaign to increase awareness amongst elderly people of the benefits available to them and to advise them about means of protecting themselves from the cold.
§ Sir K. JosephI believe that the most effective means of increasing awareness of benefits available to elderly people, particularly the more isolated and housebound, is by way of personal contact. For this reason I have issued leaflets of guidance on the subject of heating for elderly people which are intended to assist social workers, home helps, health visitors and volunteers in their day-to-day contacts with elderly people.