asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the reasons which led him to defer the resumption of the cheap fuel scheme until the 1st November, in view of the general expectation among intending applicants that the scheme would recommence on the 1st October, particularly in view of the somewhat severe weather at periods during the present month.

It has always been the practice to commence the winter period cheap fuel scheme in the first week of November and there has been no change in the current year.