§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what would be the cost of extending the electricity discount scheme to cover (a) all those in receipt of a rent rebate/allowance or rate rebate, (b) all those in receipt of a rent rebate/allowance or rate rebate who are also in receipt of a social security benefit or pension, contributory or non-contributory, (c) all those in receipt of a social security benefit or pension, contributory or non-contributory, and (d) all those groups who were eligible for the £10 Christmas bonus in 1977.
§ Dr. John CunninghamThe estimated additional costs are as follows:
- (a) £26 million.
- (b) the numbers receiving both rebates and a social security benefit are unknown.
- (c) £122 million (excluding those receiving child benefit).
- (d) £70 million.