HC Deb 13 January 1987 vol 108 cc166-7W
21. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the operation of the revised system of exceptionally severe weather payments.

39. Mr. Haynes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further information he has received about the operation of the severe weather payments scheme.

Mr. Major

The arrangement with the Meteorological Office is for information on temperatures recorded at designated weather stations over a fixed seven-day period to be received by the Department on the following Tuesday. One weather station, Eskdalemuir, recorded an average weekly temperature below minus 1.5 deg. C. in the week ending 11 January, and arrangements are in hand to publicise the availability of these payments in the area which is covered by the Galashiels local office.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what plans he has to publicise the new severe weather payments; on what date the new leaflet will be published; and where the new leaflet will be placed for public information;

(2) if he will give (a) the minimum night temperature, (b) the daily mean temperature and (c) the weekly mean temperature for each of the weather stations used for calculating severe weather payments for the week 5 January to 11 January inclusive;

(3) if he will give a list of the weather stations not included in the list of those used for calculating severe weather payments, indicating which of them had (a) minimum night temperatures of—1.5 deg C or below on any night, (b) daily mean temperatures of—1.5 deg C or below and (c) weekly mean temperatures of—1.5 deg C or below for the week 5 January to 11 January inclusive.

Mr. John Major

I shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.