§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies have been carried out by her Department into the winter heating problems of the elderly.
§ Mr. MeacherNo studies have been caried out, but, as in previous years, steps will be taken to remind health and local authorities of the need to take such action as may be practicable to assist elderly people at risk with heating problems.
§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people over retirement age she estimates will die from hypothermia in the coming winter if the weather, compared with the last 10 years, is about average, unusually warm or exceptionally cold, respectively.
§ Mr. MeacherI am unable to make such estimates, but figures for the last nine years which my predecessor gave in his reply to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Smith) on 20th March do not indicate that there is a direct correlation between the number of deaths from hypothermia and the severity of the winter.—[Vol. 888, c.509.]