HC Deb 01 August 1975 vol 896 c653W
Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which are the top 10 councils paying rate rebates; how

Council Average Rebate Total cost of Rebates Number of Recipients
£ £
Haringey London Borough Council … … 31.68 260,222 8,214
Bromley London Borough Council … … 30.04 258,406 8,602
Stratford-on-Avon District Council … … 29.29 145,000 4,950
Tower Hamlets London Borough Council … … 28.81 64,739 2,247
East Hertfordshire District Council … … 28.76 81,446 2,832
Camden Borough Council … … 28.66 153,901 5,369
Bury Metropolitan District Council … … 28.38 240,779 8,483
Thamesdown Borough Council … … 28.17 206,903 7,344
South Bedfordshire District Council … … 27.79 108,423 3,902
Manchester City Council … … 27.44 653,796 23,826

Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ratepayers in the Tendring District Council of North East Essex are drawing rate rebates; and what is the cost of these rate rebates to the council and to the Government.

Mr. Oakes

In 1974–5, 10,448 ratepayers in Tendring received rebates totalling£425,277. 90 per cent. of the cost£382,749—will be reimbursed by the Government and the remaining£42,528 will be borne by the district and county councils.

Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ratepayers are now drawing rate rebates; how many officials are employed in the administration of these rate rebates; and what is the total cost of rate rebates in England and Wales.

Mr. Oakes

In 1974–5, about 2½million ratepayers in England and Wales received rebates totalling over£85 million. The scheme is administered by local authorities and I do not know how many of their officials are involved. In my Department, the civil service input amounts annually to no more than a quarter of a man year.