§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants are on fuel-direct payments.
§ Mr. PortilloIn February 1986 there were 178,500 direct payment arrangements for electricity and 132,000 for gas. These figures, which are the most recent available,98W are taken from the annual statistical inquiry. Some people will have had both their electricity and gas paid directly and will therefore he included in both figures.