§ Mr. Martin BellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the winter fuel payment will be paid to older people who live in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) the Isle of Man and (c) the Channel Islands. [25732]
§ Mr. DenhamThe additional help of £400 million over this winter and next, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 25 November 1997,Official Report, column 773–98, demonstrates the Government's commitment to help the elderly keep warm in their homes during cold weather.
This Department is responsible for Social Security only in Great Britain, which does not include the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
Responsibility for Northern Ireland rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of state for Northern Ireland, who has arranged similar provisions (S.R. 1998 No.3).