§ Mr. Kaufmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many council house tenants in England have their rents paid (a) in whole and (b) in part by supplementary benefits; and what percentage each number is of the total number of council house tenants in England.
§ Mr. Rossi[pursuant to the reply, 14 December 1981, c. 53–4]: Housing requirements are generally allowed in full in the assessment of supplementary benefit. The actual 445W benefit paid may be more or less than those requirements, depending on the claimant's other needs and resources. The table below shows the number of council tenants in England whose supplementary benefit was (a) more than and (b) less than their housing requirements.
Number (000s) Percentage of all council tenants (a) Supplementary benefit in payment more than housing requirements* 1,100 22 (b) Supplementary benefit in payment less than housing requirements* 209 4 * Housing requirements cover rents, general rates and water charges.