§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on how many days in the last five years cold weather payments have been made covering postcode areas NE12 and NE23 in the north east of England; and which weather stations cover these areas.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe administration of the Cold Weather Payments Scheme is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Stephen Byers, dated 7 February 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about Cold Weather Payments made in postcode areas NE12 and NE23 in the last five years.Postcode NE12 is linked to the Leeming Weather Station and NE23 to the Tynemouth Weather Station.Cold weather periods are forecast or recorded on a weekly basis and, if appropriate, a payment is made for the same period. I have provided a table showing the number of weeks for which Cold Weather Payments were made for each year in the areas in question.
11990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 NE 12 3 3 2 2 0 NE 23 2 0 0 0 0 1 The 1990–91 figures include Cold Weather Payments made on a national basis, irrespective of recorded temperatures, for the two week period 1 February 1991 to 14 February 1991. I hope you find my reply helpful.