§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the annual cost of rent rebates and rent allowances, together, in England and Wales; and how much of the total is estimated to be payable to persons over retirement age.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe latest estimate of expenditure in England and Wales in 1980–81 on rent rebates and rent allowances, including amounts paid in effect through the supplementary benefit scheme, is £615 million. Of this, it is estimated that £402 million was paid to people over retirement age.