VISCOUNT GAGEasked Her Majesty's Government in respect of how many households in England and Wales have (a) local rates, (b) rents, been paid either in full or in part out of the Public Assistance funds during the last twelve months for which statistics are available.
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADThe National Assistance Board inform me they have no separate information about the payment of rates but they estimate that about 1,200,000 persons at present drawing National Assistance in England and Wales pay rent for their accommodation or own the houses in which they live, and in all these cases the assessment of the person's needs includes an allowance for rent or similar outgoings, including rates where payable. Many of these persons are not householders in the ordinary sense but rent accommodation in somebody else's house.
House adjourned at seven minutes before six o'clock.