§ 56. Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people benefit from rate subsidies; what is the total value of this subsidy to the latest available date; and what proposals he has to give further publicity to the scheme.
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§ Mr. Graham PageI assume the hon. Member has in mind the rate rebate scheme. In England and Wales just over 800,000 householders benefited in 1969–70, and over the 4 years of the scheme a total of over £52 million has been allowed in rebates. The increase in income limits operative from 1st October will benefit a larger number of householders in future. My Department have recently distributed in mass, to local authorities, post offices and voluntary organisations the explanatory leaflts and posters. As a research project, my right hon. Friend intends to organise a concentrated publicity campaign in one local authority area.