HC Deb 11 February 1976 vol 905 cc236-7W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many recipients of supplementary benefit received ECAs for heating in 1974 and 1975; how many of these were pensioners; in how many cases the maximum heating allowance was paid; and if she will give the figures for (a) Great Britain, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) the English regions.

Mr. Meacher

The information, based on a sample of cases, is as follows:

The numbers are based on a sample of 1 in 160 supplementary pension cases and 1 in 40 supplementary allowance cases.

The number receiving the highest standard rate addition was 15,000 in April 1974 and 16,000 in May 1975. Any further division of these figures would not be meaningful as they are based on small sample numbers.