§ 52. Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to amend the regulations for qualification for the cold climate allowance.
§ Mr. NewtonThere is no provision at present for a cold climate allowance, and we have no plans to introduce one. The hon. Member may be referring to single payments for fuel costs in periods of exceptionally severe weather, and I refer him to my reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 11 November at columns95–97.
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§ 53. Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has made a decision on payment of cold weather allowances for the winter of 1985–86.
§ Mr. NewtonI refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 11 November at columns95–97.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has given further consideration to the representations made for a cold climate allowance to those areas of Scotland which are adversely affected by severe weather conditions.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have given careful consideration to the representations made for a cold climate allowance. But, like previous Governments, we remain of the view that it would not be right to deviate from the principle of national benefit levels.