§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Energy when and where full details of this winter's scheme to help people who receive supplementary benefit or family income supplement with their electricity bills will be published.
§ Dr. John CunninghamFrom today a leaflet giving full details about the scheme is available on request at post offices, electricity showrooms, social security offices, unemployment benefit offices, citizens advice bureaux and other agencies. This explains how to get this help. It also provides answers to a number of possible questions about the scheme. The scheme starts on 1st January, but this information is being made available from an early date so that people have time to understand how to claim a discount before electricity bills which may qualify for one start to arrive. The £5 payment which those who are eligible will receive 7W in the week commencing 16th January will be made automatically and does not have to be claimed.
Advertisements about the scheme will appear in the national Press this week and at intervals during its period of operation.