§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the information he has for each European Economic Community member country relating to concessions for pensioners in relation to standing charges and fuel costs.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI have been asked to reply.
Comprehensive information on concessions to pensioners in relation to standing charges and other fuel costs in other EC member states is not available.
In the United Kingdom the main assistance to domestic consumers is given in the form of social security payments. In 1983–84 the Government spent some £380 million on supplementary benefit heating additions and over 90 per cent. of pensioners on supplementary benefit now receive heating additions. The British Gas Corporation and area electricity boards have also introduced rebate arrangements for standing charges in order to recognise the position of small consumers, and a large number of those who benefit are pensioners.