§ 6. Mr. Gourlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities operated rent rebate schemes in the financial years 1956, 1959 and 1961; and what was the total amount rebated in each of the above years.
§ Mr. MaclayIn 1956, 37 local authorities operated rent rebate schemes and the total annual amount of rebates granted was estimated to be £11,259. The corresponding figures for 1959 are 55 and £237,900, and for 1961 56 and £198,500.
§ Mr. GourlayIs not the enormous increase in the rent rebates being given by local authorities a direct result of the rent increases which the Secretary of State has forced them to make as a result of the high interest charges which 400 are the responsibility of the Government? Will he consider making substantial increases in the subsidies paid to local authorities in order to ease the burden on the lower-paid workers?
§ Mr. MaclayWhen the hon. Gentleman has had time to digest the figures I gave, he will see that his conclusions are not correct. Only the figures for 1959 and 1961 are comparable, and he will note that less was rebated in 1961 than in 1959.