asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider granting additional financial aid to pensioners for heating as a consequence of increased costs to them caused by the miners' strike.

Yes. Supplementary pensioners and others who are within the scope of the Supplementary Benefits Scheme and have difficulty in meeting their fuel bills because they have had to use alternative and more expensive forms of heating during the miners' strike should consult their local social security office. Directors of social services have been informed of the arrangements.