§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give further consideration to allowing all those in receipt of rebates and rent allowances to claim the assistance for payment of fuel bills.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Government are already planning to spend some £250 million in the next year to help low-income households meet their fuel costs. To extend these provisions to people in receipt of rent and rate rebates and rent allowances would, at least, mean doubling this expenditure and could not be afforded in present economic circumstances.