§ Mr. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he can now give further details of the scheme to allocate £25 million to give a discount on the cost of electricity used by poor households in the winter.
§ Mr. BennOne-quarter of the amount payable to electricity boards by householders on supplementary benefit or family income supplement in respect of electricity meter readings made in February, March or April next year will be met by Her Majesty's Government. Practical details of the scheme by which this will be done are now being worked out in discussion between my officials, electricity boards and the Post Office Corporation and with trade union representatives.
In broad outline it is planned that, after 1st February, when an account arrives, the householder should take it to the post office when collecting his or her supplementary benefit or family income supplement allowance. He or she will then be given a voucher for the amount of the discount, which electricity boards will accept towards payment of the account.
596WThe discount will apply only to electricity charges, including standing charges, in the quarter in question, and not to arrears of debt or any other items on the account such as hire-purchase instalments. Arrangements will be made for householders provided by electricity boards with prepayment motors to get a document to enable them to claim a discount in cash from the post office. Full details of the scheme will be published in good time by my Department.
My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland will be announcing corresponding arrangements.