§ Sir N. Cooper-Keyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reply he has made to the memorandum sent to him by the British Limbless ex-Servicemen's Association on the subject of a rate rebate scheme for their members; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe hon. Member was kind enough to send me a copy of the memorandum. The issue was debated in the final stages of Standing Committee D of the Rating Bill in the House of Commons on 10th and 15th February, and examined further at Report stage on 24th February. Much as the Government sympathises with the feeling that disability pensions should be left out of income for the rebate scheme we have not been persuaded that it would be right to have any disregards for this particular purpose.350W The object of the rebate scheme is to reduce the proportion of low incomes which goes in meeting rates and it is not part of the scheme to take account of the nature or source of the applicant's income.