§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations his Department has had about pensioners and others in Manchester whose homes are held to have been wrongly denied the designation hard to heat leading to loss of heating allowances; what action is now being taken in regard to the tenants at Violet court, Edwards court, Park court and Birch Tree court, among others in the city whose homes ought to have been so designated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThere have been extensive and continuing discussions involving the Department, the north-western electricity board, and the Manchester city council, in order to identify and designate estates in the Manchester area with heating systems which the Secretary of State considers disproportionately expensive to heat. Violet court, Edwards court, Park court, and Birch Tree court were so designated on 15 March and estate rate heating additions will be paid to supplementary benefit claimants who are tenants on those estates with effect from that date. Consideration will be given to designating other estates in the Wythenshawe area in the light of the outcome of further discussions that are being held with the northwestern electricity board.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter dated 13 March from the chairman of the north-western regional health authority to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe concerning the number of hospital beds available for chest patients at Wythenshawe hospital, Manchester.
§ Mr. John PattenA copy has been placed in the Library.