§ Mr. Roebuckasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received about the powers of discretion exercised by local authorities under the Rate Rebate Scheme; and whether be will make a statement.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThe only power of discretion given to local authorities under the rate rebate scheme is about late applications: if a local authority wish, they can give a late applicant full rebate instead of deducting an appropriate fraction. My right hon. Friend has had few queries, none recently, about the way this discretion is being exercised. My right hon. Friend hopes that it will be exercised generously because it takes time for people to know how to use the scheme, and most of those eligible for rate rebate are elderly.