§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many exceptional need grants have been awarded by the Supplementary Benefits Commission to, respectively, persons or families on rent strike and to other persons or families during each month since August, 1971; and what in each case was the average value of such grants.
§ Mr. David HowellExceptional needs grants to rent defaulters have been recorded separately only from 24th January, 1972. The information available is as follows:
Number of exceptional needs grants made Total amount paid £ August, 1971–682 7,541.33 September, 1971–663 7,635.22 October, 1971–860 9,387.44 November, 1971–618 6,449.02 December, 1971–870 9,078.55 average £10.85 January, 1972–664 6,880.25 February, 1972–662 6,586.86 March, 1972–653 7,028.16 April, 1972 (Figures not yet available) average £10.36 The figures from 24th January, 1972 exclude grants to rent defaulters.
The number of exceptional needs grants paid to rent defaulters between 24th January, 1972 and 9th May, 1972 was 52 at a total cost of £1,068, an average payment of £20.53.