§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will backdate the estates rate heating addition to those tenants who live in council estates which have been designated as disproportionately expensive to heat to the date of application, September 1983.
§ Mr. WhitneyEstate rate heating additions are payable in respect of particular heating systems on estates which my right hon. Friend has recognised as having disproportionately high running costs. This condition is not satisfied until inquiries have been completed and the systems have been designated. The independent adjudicating authorities may backdate estate rate heating additions for up to 52 weeks in respect of the period after the systems have been designated.
§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will authorise a 52-week backdate of the exceptionally difficult to heat addition for tenants on estates which have been designated disproportionately expensive to heat.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe heating additions to which the hon. Member refers are awarded in respect of homes which, having regard in particular to whether the rooms are draughty or damp or exceptionally large, are exceptionally difficult to heat adequately; for example, because they are very old or in a very exposed position. It is for the indepedendent adjudicating authorities to decide whether the necessary criteria are fulfilled in individual cases and, if so, whether to backdate the awards for up to 52 weeks.