§ Q17. Mr. McCrindleasked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Department of Energy and the Department of Health and Social Security on matters of energy pricing and assistance for the most needy people.
§ The Prime MinisterI am satisfied that both Departments keep closely in touch on these matters. The most recent example of this co-operation was the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services last week that supplementary benefit heating additions would be increased next November in line with the expected rise in fuel prices. In this way we aim to maintain the extra purchasing power given to heating additions last November when we boosted them to their highest ever real value.