§ Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether a revised joint statement of intent has yet been agreed with the fuel industries following the changes to the fuel direct scheme announced to the House on 7 April.
§ Mr. NewtonI have today placed a copy of the revised joint statement of intent agreed between DHSS and the fuel industries on the operation of the fuel-direct scheme in the Library of the House. Copies are also being circulated to all DHSS local offices and to the fuel boards.
This revised statement reflects the changes introduced following discussions with the fuel industries. In particular, the statement indicates clearly that claimants will not be refused access to the fuel direct arrangements simply because of the level of their debt. In addition to providing for the abolition of these debts ceilings, the statement embodies the changes introduced by the Supplementary Benefit (Claims and Payments) Amendment Regulations 1982. These concerned the amounts to be deducted from a claimant's weekly benefit to reduce an outstanding fuel debt, and provided also for six-monthly adjustment of deductions relating to current fuel consumption.
Since these regulations were laid the social security advisory committee has consulted individuals and organisations who have an interest in changes to the fuel direct scheme. I understand that it will be reporting on the regulations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State shortly, and in monitoring the effects of the changes we shall take careful account of any comments it may have.