§ 29. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that his Department encourages patients to dialyse themselves on kidney machines in their own homes and in view of the fact that substantial amounts of extra heat are required in a separate room, he will consider giving a special heating allowance for such patients; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonWe are reviewing the present arrangements under which the hospital authority is responsible only for the cost of the electricity used by the kidney machine.
§ 31. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will direct the Supplementary Benefits Commission to discontinue the practice of deducting long-term additions from heating allowances given to pensioners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the findings of the survey into "body temperatures in the elderly" published in the British Medical Journal of 27th January 58W 1973, he will undertake a review of supplementary heating allowances.
§ Sir K. JosephThe Supplementary Benefits Commission is considering whether this report has any implications for the administration of their discretionary powers to increase benefit when there are exceptional circumstances.