§ 34. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that the National Assistance Board is refusing to grant full rent allowances on the grounds that the rents are too high, and that in these cases the tenants are required to move to cheaper lodgings or tenements although it is impossible to find them; how many cases have been refused the full rent allowance; and what is the policy of the Board regarding rent allowances for married couples living in dwellings decontrolled under the Rent Act who are paying £2 15s. 0d. a week for rent.
§ Mr. WoodThe Board's officers are required by the National Assistance (Determination of Need) Regulations to provide such allowance for rent as is reasonable in the circumstances. In December, 1963, the full rent was being met in over 98 per cent. of cases—all but 27,000 cut of a total of over 1½ million. An account of the Board's policy in this matter was given in its Report for 1962.