HC Deb 25 October 1979 vol 972 cc300-1W
Mr. Welsh

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons over 65 years of age benefited from the scheme assisting elderly persons with their fuel bills during last winter; how many will benefit this winter as a result of the changes he is now proposing to introduce; and how many persons he estimates will have benefited in last year's scheme who will not now benefit.

Mrs. Chalker

It is estimated that about 2½ million people over 65 received payments under the electricity discount scheme earlier this year, average value £7.50, compared with the 110,000 supplementary pensioners who will receive a heating addition worth nearly £50 over the year under the proposals announced by my right hon. Friend on 22 October. —[Vol. 972, c. 35–6.]