HC Deb 10 December 1985 vol 88 cc602-3W
50. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the operation of the severe weather payment scheme.

66. Mr. Andrew Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken to improve the operation of payments for heating in exceptionally severe weather.

73. Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for making exceptional severe weather payments this winter.

Mr. Newton

I refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Batley and Spen (Mrs. Peacock) on 6 December at column400–401.

Mr. Andrew Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the further guidance to adjudication officers on claims for exceptionally severe weather payments to be issued.

Mr. Newton

I understand that the Chief Adjudication officer issued guidance on such claims on 6 December, and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library.

Mr. Wallace

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the temperature that triggers exceptionally severe weather payments in (a) Truro, (b) Bermondsey, (c) Brecon, (d) Wisbech, (e) Leeds, (f) Berwick upon Tweed, (g) Selkirk, (h) Inverurie, (i) Aviemore and (j) Lerwick.

Mr. Newton

A tribunal of social security commissioners has recently ruled that eligibility for exceptionally severe weather payments should not be decided by reference to predetermined trigger points based on temperature levels, and such an approach is not now being used. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Batley and Spen (Mrs. Peacock) on 6 December at columns400–401.