§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will accede to representations for the retrospective payment of exceptionally severe weather allowances for eligible claimants who paid their fuel bills before his Department advertised the availability of the benefits; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe determination of claims for exceptionally severe weather payments is a matter for the independent adjudication officers, and I refer the hon. Member to the guidance on this subject issued by the chief adjudication officer on 6 December 1985, a copy of which is in the Library. We shall be reviewing the exceptionally severe weather provisions further in the light of this winter's experience.