§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the final number of persons who received the supplementary benefit or family income supplement fuel supplement of £5 in the week of 16th January 1978; and what are his estimates of the proportion of recipients (a) over pension age, (b) who were non-householders, and (c) who were without dependants.
§ Dr. John CunninghamApproximately 3.2 million people, virtually all those eligible, received the £5 payment. About 50 per cent. were over pension age and about 18 per cent. non-householders. The number without dependants is not known.
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many persons claimed a 25 per cent. fuel discount for the winter quarter (a) who did not receive the £5 supplementary benefit or family income supplement fuel supplement on 16th January 1978, and (b) who also received the fuel supplement; and of each, what percentage were aged over 65 years, men, or over 60 years, women.
§ Dr. John CunninghamThe great majority of those who claimed the discount will have received the £5 payment, although precise figures are not available. It is not known exactly how many of those in the groups mentioned by the hon. Member were retirement pensioners, but they accounted for about half of the total eligible.