§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the number of people in Northern Ireland who are still on rent and rate strike; the number who are making contributions towards the clearing of the arrears of rents and rates; the number who are still having social security benefits limited by reason of their having been on a rents and rate strike, and the amount of money still outstanding in the rent and rates strike.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAbout 5,400 people are still on rent and rates strike. Of these, 3,350 are having deductions made for social security benefits: this includes 1,100 whose arrears of rent and rates are being cleared by these deductions. The total owed to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive by those still on strike is estimated at £1 million. A further £2 million, approximately, is owed by those no longer on strike, who are paying off arrears by arrangement with the Housing Executive.