Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Barker of Battle and Russell Brown

Thursday 27th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

It is always useful to have the abridged rather than the “War and Peace” version, but we are grateful to the Minister nevertheless.

[Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab)]

In many of the rural communities that are finding it so difficult because of fuel poverty, those who get the winter fuel payment would love to receive it earlier. Is the Minister prepared to meet a delegation of the all-party group on off-gas grid led by his hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) to discuss this matter?

[Gregory Barker]

This has been raised with me and I understand the work that the all-party parliamentary group is doing on it. I am sympathetic to the point that is made, but there are practical problems and costs to doing as the hon. Gentleman suggests. But I am not unsympathetic to him and, of course, I would be happy to meet.