§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how his Department differentiates between central heating systems when making a heating allowance award; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonUnder the supplementary benefit scheme, there are two standard rates of central heating addition. The lower rate—at present £1.90 per week—is payable where the home, excluding any bathroom, lavatory or hall, consists of not more than four rooms, and the higher rate—at present £3.80 per week—where it consists of five or more rooms. Allowances at twice the above rates, known as 'estate rate heating additions', are 41W payable where the home is part of an estate built with a heating system of which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has in his discretion recognised the running costs to be disproportionately high.
My right hon. Friend has indicated that in the case of estates he will consider oil-fired central heating systems, direct acting on-peak electric heating and electric storage heating systems operated on certain non-standard preserved tariffs for designation under the latter provision.