§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much is currently paid, in aggregate and per claimant on average, for the purpose of house insurance, maintenance and repair to supplementary benefit recipients who are owner-occupiers; and how far these amounts vary according to the rateable value of the house.
§ Mr. DeanI regret that it is not possible to provide the information requested in the first part of the Question, because there is no separate record of the amount included in the assessment of an owner-occupier's requirements for supplementary benefit purposes by way of an allowance for expenditure on repairs or insurance. In England and Wales the amounts are currently£10 per year if the rateable value is£55 or less,£10 plus one-fifth of the excess up to£80 from£56-£80 and£15 plus one-eighth of the excess on rateable value of more than£80. In Scotland the allowance is£10 if the rateable value is£40 or less and one-quarter of the rateable value where it exceeds£40. These rates are currently under review. Some exceptional needs payments are also made for this purpose.