§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, to mark the International Year of Disabled People, he will seek to uprate heating allowances for the blind; an if he will make a statement;
(2) if, to mark the International Year of Disabled People, he will seek to uprate the extra heating allowances for those with the following illnesses: multiple sclerosis, arthritis, rheumatism, bronchitis, anaemia, muscular dystrophy and kidney failure.
§ Mr. RossiBlind people, and people suffering from these illnesses who qualify for heating additions to their supplementary benefit, are currently benefiting from the special boost given to heating additions last November. A further uprating will take place in November of this year.