§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of pensioners; and whether he discussed fuel poverty and cold weather payments for the elderly.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythMy noble Friend Lord Glenarthur, then Minister of State, Scottish Office, met representatives of Age Concern in 1987. I understand that fuel poverty and cold weather payments were not raised at that meeting.
§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of deaths recorded in Scotland each year since 1979 from cold weather-related illnesses.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythInformation is available on deaths from hypothermia. This is as follows:
Deaths with any mention of hypothermia, Scotland, 1979–88 Year Total 1979 259 1980 199 1981 254 1982 196 1983 179 1984 176 1985 232 1986 209 1987 153 11988 123 1Provisional figure.