§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report the number of people in regular receipt of rate rebates and his Department's estimate of the number of people entitled to receive such rate rebates; on what basis his Department's calculation is made; what are the total sums involved; and what were the corresponding figures in the past five years.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe latest figure available of the number of householders in receipt of a rate rebate in England and Wales relates to the year 1974–75 when about 2.2 million rebates were granted. The number of those receiving rebate regularly is not known. From data derived from the Family Expenditure Survey, it is estimated that this represents about 60 per cent. of those entitled to a rebate in that year. The total sum rebated in 1974–75 was £96 million.
The figures for the old rate rebate scheme in operation prior to 1974–75 are given below:
Reliable data are not available on those entitled to rebate in these years. The figures for 1975–76 are likely to be available in the next few weeks.
No. of recipients (thousands) Total amount of rebates (£ millions) 1970–71 … … 796 14.62 1971–72 … … 807 18.37 1972–73 … … 905 23.33 1973–74 … … 910 28.00