§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria he uses to decide whether a dwelling is exceptionally difficult to heat.
§ Dr. BoysonDecisions on whether or not to award supplementary benefit heating additions under paragraph 2(b) of Schedule 4 to the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983, on the grounds that accommodation is exceptionally difficult to heat adequately, are taken by the independent adjudicating 137W authorities. Such decisions are based on the circumstances of the individual case, having regard to factors such as the size, age, condition and position of the home.
A heating addition may also be awarded to a householder whose home is part of an estate which has been designated by my right hon. Friend as having a heating system with disproportionately high running costs. The factors taken into account in making such a designation are set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Cartwright) on 20 June at col.173.