§ Mr. CormackTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the estimated cost of measures to relieve those in receipt of benefits from the effect of VAT on domestic fuel at(a) 171/2 per cent., (b) 8 per cent. and (c) 5 per cent.
§ Mr. BurtThe costs of compensation will depend on the measures taken and the benefits covered. Extra help will be given to poorer pensioners and others on low incomes. An announcement will be made later in the autumn.
Among the points to be taken into account is the fact that domestic fuel prices, on average, have fallen by 17–5 per cent. in real terms since their peak in 1983.