§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the data collected from all the weather stations by the office of the Chief Adjudication Officer on temperatures over the past 14 days.
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§ Mr. NewtonI understand that the office of the Chief Adjudication Officer does not intend to publish the data on temperatures which it collects from the Meteorological Office. Following revised guidance issued by the Chief Adjudication Officer on 6 December 1985, this information is no longer necessary to determine whether there has been a period of exceptionally severe weather in any particular area. It may only be used to supplement other locally available information if appropriate.
§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local offices have requested permission to begin payments of exceptionally severe weather payments over the past 14 days.
§ Mr. NewtonLocal offices are not required to seek such permission. Following revised guidance issued by the Chief Adjudication Officer on 6 December 1985, the decision whether there has been a period of exceptionally severe weather in any particular area is one for the local adjudication officer, in the light of local weather conditions.
§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local offices have contacted the office of the Chief Adjudication Officer requesting data on temperature levels in their region.
§ Mr. NewtonI understand that about 20 local offices have contacted the office of the Chief Adjudication Officer to request data on temperature levels recorded by the Meteorological Office.
§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what sum he has budgeted for during the current year for exceptionally severe weather payments.
§ Mr. NewtonNo estimate has been made of expenditure during the current year on single payments for additional fuel used during a period of exceptionally severe weather, since there is no means of forecasting whether, when of where adjudication officers may decide that such a period has occurred.
§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many exceptionally severe weather payments have been made so far in the current year; and if he will give a regional breakdown.
§ Mr. NewtonInformation is not currently available centrally on whether any single payments in respect of extra fuel used during a period of exceptionally severe weather have been made in the present year.
§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review his decision not to make severe weather payments to claimants who purchase their fuel in advance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonNo such decision has been taken. Guidance on single payments to help with the cost of fuel purchased in advance, but used faster than expected because of a period of exceptionally severe weather, is contained in the circular issued by the Chief Adjudication Officer on 6 December 1985, a copy of which is in the Library.