§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people were, at the latest convenient date, in receipt of payments from the National Assistance Board to enable them to pay local rates; and what estimate she has made of the effect on this figure of the provisions of the Rating Bill now before Parliament.
§ Miss HerbisonOn 7th September, 1965, there were about 1,580,000 people in receipt of payments from the National Assistance Board which took account of their rent and rates. Because the Board's payments will continue normally to take270W full account of their rate liability these people will in general continue to look to the Board and not to the rate rebate scheme. The provisions of the Rating Bill will therefore have no appreciable effect on their numbers.