§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he now has for ending the rent and rates strike; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonI fully understand my hon. Friend's concern, and that of those who have regularly paid their rent and rates. We must exercise patience over the problem, which is under active review but is, of course, only one of the many facing us. Meanwhile, as has been pointed out previously, substantial recoveries are being made in the majority of cases from allocations of social benefits.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are his plans for recovering the increasing sum of arrears of rent and rates from persons who are currently withholding such payments, and who are not in receipt of any form of State benefit; and if he will give an assurance that he will not grant an amnesty to these persons.
§ Mr. David HowellI would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to his Question on 18th May and in respect of amnesty to the answer given to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher), on 4th May.—[Vol. 837, c. 196, and Vol. 836, c. 563.]