§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total debt outstanding for rent and rates due to the civil disobedience campaign; how this compares with the position three, six and nine months ago; how 161W much of the arrears have been recovered; and under which statutory powers the recovery has been effected.
§ Mr. David HowellThe sum owed to housing authorities in Northern Ireland for rent and rates withheld in the campaign of civil disobedience is £1.1 million. The figure was the same three months ago. Six months—and nine months—ago the figure was £1.05 million. Since the start of the campaign, arrears of £1.43 million have been recovered from social security benefits, payment of which was withheld or reduced under Section 1 of the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.