§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many rate rebates were granted for the period ended on 30th September 1966; and what steps he has taken to ensure that ratepayers applying for rate rebates more than a month after the beginning of the rebate period, because of ignorance of their rights, are granted the full rebate for the period.
§ Mr. MacCollThe indications are that for the first rebate period ending on 30th September, 1966 about a million people in England and Wales will have been granted rebates. The decision whether or not to grant the full rebate to late applicants rests entirely with rating authorities. My right hon. Friend has made it widely known that he hopes they will use their discretion generously at least in the first year of the scheme but he cannot direct rating authorities in this.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many rate rebates were granted in Stoke-on-Trent for the period ended on 30th September, 1966; and what proportion this figure is of those eligible.
§ Mr. MacCollFour thousand one hundred rebates have been granted in respect of the first rebate period in Stoke-on-Trent. This represents 173W 4.6 per cent. Of the domestic hereditaments in the area but I can make no estimate of what proportion it represents of those eligible.