§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will repay to pensioners who apply for rent rebate or rate rebate after 22nd July but before the needs allowance is raised in October the sum of money that they would have received by way of rebate if they had applied before 22nd July.
§ Mr. FreesonNo. As I explained to the hon. Member in a Written Answer on 19th July, the disregard of certain increases of income from 22nd July for rent and rate rebate purposes is a temporary exception to the general rule. Applicants on and after 22nd July are being assessed in the usual way and will still be better off than without this help.