§ 18. Mr. Allasonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will now take steps to derate those dwellings where every occupant is over 60 years of age, in order to relieve this section of the community, upon whom rate increases bear hardest, of the costs of education.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. F. V. Corfield)I think that we ought to await the Report of the Committee of Inquiry before deciding upon which sectors of the community rates or rate increases bear hardest.
§ Mr. AllasonWill my hon. Friend remember the large rate increase this year and that these old people cannot afford to wait so long? Is he aware that many will probably be dead before the Report is received and some action taken. Does not my hon. Friend realise that, although there is no easy way to identify people who have to live on small fixed incomes and who need this help, it is so desperately needed that it would be better to help other people as well than to help no one at all?
§ Mr. CorfieldAs my right hon. Friend made clear, it is hoped that the inquiry will report by autumn, but I am sure that my hon. Friend will be aware that there are people over the age of 60 who find less difficulty in meeting their rate demands than many young married couples with families.
§ Mr. D. SmithWould not my hon. Friend agree that education forms such a substantial part of the rate burden that there is at least a prima facie case for transferring the whole cost of education to the national Exchequer?
§ Mr. CorfieldI must refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education on 28th February.