§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many 163W people have now withdrawn from the rent and rates strike; how many of these are now fully paid up to date; and how many remain on rent and rates strike.
§ Mr. David HowellAt the beginning of March approximately 7,500 people in public authority housing had withdrawn from the rent and rates strike. Approximately 18,000 people remain on rent and rates strike. It is not possible, without disproportionate effort, to say how many of those who have withdrawn are fully paid up-to-date, or to give information about private housing.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons still remain on rent and rates strike in the Province; and what is the total of their indebtedness.
§ Mr. David HowellAt the beginning of March 18,000 tenants of public authority houses in Northern Ireland were on rent and rates strike. Their total debt is approximately £1.37 million. It is not possible without a disproportionate amount of time and effort to say how many people in private housing owe rates for this reason, or the total of their indebtedness.