HC Deb 16 February 1983 vol 37 cc193-4W
Mr. Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown of 25 January, Official Report, c. 400, how many people lost heating additions owing to changes to paragraphs 6 and 7 of schedule 3 to the Supplementary Benefit Regulations on 22 November 1982.

Mr. Newton

I regret that this information is not available. The claimants who lost were those who previously received heating additions under paragraph 6—disabled persons—or 7—age-related—even though all the necessary heating of their home is provided for by the fixed charge payable to the landlord. Help is available separately towards that charge from the local authority if it exceeds standard amounts.

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the colder weather, he will now authorise single payment under regulation 26 for heating purposes as was done in the winter of 1981–82.

Mr. Newton

This is a matter, not for my right hon. Friend, but for the independent adjudicating authorities, in the first instance supplementary Benefit benefit officers.

The Chief Supplementary Officer has indicated that he will advise supplementary benefit officers when, in his view, on the basis of information supplied by the Meteorological Office, the condition in regulation 26 relating to exceptionally severe weather has been satisfied. I understand that in the light of the information he has received the Chief Supplementary Benefit Officer does not consider that that condition has been satisfied so far this winter.

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many degree days in each of the 17 meteorological offices there have to be in a week for it to count as period of exceptional severe weather for single payment under regulation 26 to be made for heating purposes.

Mr. Newton

I am advised by the Chief Supplementary Benefit Officer that he is making use of information in respect of 15 weather stations in Great Britain. The figures requested are as follows:

Weather station Number of degree days in a week which are considered to indicate "exceptionally severe weather"
Heathrow 117
Bournemouth 118
Plymouth 108
Bristol 117
Birmingham 126
Manchester 121
Carlisle 128
Boulmer 117
Leeming 125
Finninglen 122
Honnington 122
Glasgow 125
Leuchars 121
Aberdeen 122
Aberporth 108