§ Mr. Alec Jonesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what in 1968 was the total value of Government grants to ease the impact of rates on the domestic ratepayers in Wales; how many people are now receiving these benefits; and how these figures compare with those for 1963–64.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThe total of the domestic element payable to rating authorities26W in Wales for 1968–69 is estimated to be £1,813,177 out of total rate support grants to Welsh authorities estimated at £103,075,982. The domestic element secures reductions in the rate poundages paid by domestic ratepayers in 1968–69 of 10d. in the pound in respect of dwelling houses and 5d. in the pound for mixed hereditaments which are predominantly residential. In 1969–70 the reductions will be 1s. 3d. and 7d. in the pound respectively. The number of hereditaments in Wales to which the reductions apply is approximately 888,000 and a corresponding number of ratepayers directly benefit.
There was no similar rate reduction for domestic ratepayers in 1963–64.