§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of people who received severe weather payments in each month of the winter of 1986–87 for which figures are available; and what proportion of each total were pensioners.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total expenditure on cold weather payments for each of the last five winters for which figures are available.
§ Mr. ScottThe information requested is as follows:
£ million 1983 Nil 1984 Nil 1985 1.7 1986 11.6 1987 10.2
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will outline his policy for targeting special winter fuel payments to elderly people and disabled people.
§ Mr. ScottHelp with heating costs is available each week to supplementary benefit claimants through the weekly scale rates and heating additions. Extra help through the exceptionally cold weather provision has been targeted on groups most at risk from the cold: the elderly, the very young and the sick and disabled.