§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total amount of housing benefit in each financial year paid by local authorities in(a) England and (b) Great Britain to council tenants since the scheme began;
(2) what is total Government expenditure on housing benefit on a financial year basis in (a) England and (b) Great Britain;
(3) what is the total amount of housing benefit reimbursed (a) to local authorities and (b) private tenants in each financial year in (i) England and (ii) Great Britain in respect of rent rebates granted to council tenants since the beginning of the scheme.
§ Miss WiddecombeI have been asked to reply.
The table sets out housing benefit expenditure for central and local government from 1983–84 to 1990–91: