§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to adjust the cold weather payment system to take account of climatic variations in different parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ScottThe system already fully reflects climatic variation around the United Kingdom, through the links to 63 weather stations. This system of linkages is kept under review, and further refinements were introduced as part of our recent package of improvements to the scheme, introduced in November 1991.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to meet representatives from the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the administrative costs or savings in replacing the current system of cold weather payments by a system of cold weather credits, as recommended by the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits.
§ Mr. ScottThe recommendations of the Campaign for Cold Weather Credits do not contain sufficient details For a proper estimate to be made. They would be likely to be more expensive than the current cold weather payments scheme.