HC Deb 13 July 1978 vol 953 c744W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the average housing subsidy paid on each council house in each year since 1964.

Mr. Armstrong

The answer is set out in the following table. The figures relate to England and Wales and cover houses owned by local housing authorities. New towns are excluded. Average subsidies have been calculated by comparing housing revenue account—HRA—subsidies with the best available estimates of HRA dwelling stock. The average subsidies for 1972–73 onwards exclude the rent rebate subsidy, since this constitutes income support to individuals rather than a general housing subsidy. It is not possible to exclude rent rebates for the years before 1972–73, but the amounts of subsidy involved were small.

Mr. Guy Barnett

I refer my hon. Friend to Schedule 1 of the 1977 Rate Support Grant Order which lists all the factors used in the 1978–79 rate support grant distribution, and gives their weightings.