Mr. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has made any changes in the composition of his committee on methods of payment for fuel; and if he will make a statement on its progress and expected date of conclusion.
§ Mr. BennFollowing the ministerial appointments in April, my hon. Friend the Member for Widnes (Mr. Oakes) succeeded my noble Friend Lord Lovell-Davis as Chairman of the Fuel Payments Review. I have now received his report.
§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy if the interdepartmental working party, which examined the problems of energy tariffs and the poor, considered the introduction of an energy cost rebate for poorer households; and, if so, what were their recommendations.
§ Mr. OakesThe implications of various schemes on these lines are illustrated in paragraphs 32 onwards of the group's report "Energy Tariffs and the Poor" of which a copy is in the Library.
§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress he has made in his consideration of further action to assist poorer energy consumers; and if he will give an assurance that in any case he will take action on this matter before next winter.
§ Mr. OakesI cannot add anything at present to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Mem-162W ber for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heller) on 17th May—[Vol. 911, c. 323].