asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the Supplementary Benefits Commission treats the installation of roof insulation as appropriate for an exceptional needs grant, or, on a weekly discounted basis, as allowable in a heating allowance.

The commission does not generally regard it as appropriate for supplementary benefit to be awarded for what are in effect house improvements, and would not meet the cost of roof insulation. But where the need is for simple draught-proofing the commission will consider meeting the cost of materials in those cases where the claimant's available capital is £150 or less.