§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement about the rent and rates strike; what arrears have been collected; and what are still outstanding.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesHousing and rating are matters which were transferred to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973, and for which United Kingdom Ministers are not therefore responsible to Parliament. However, although the 1973 Act remains in force the Assembly is now prorogued and there is no Executive answerable to it. In these circumstances I intend to give answers as far as is practicable to Questions in the House of Commons on transferred matters.
584WThe number of tenants who owe rent including rates to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has dropped from 26,000 at the height of the campaign to about 6,000. Approximately £3.8 million arrears have been collected. About £1 million arrears are still outstanding. In addition it is estimated that £ ½ million of the arrears of rates owed by persons in privately-owned houses are to be attributed to the campaign of civil disobedience.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of those who have been, and are, on rent and rates strike are on social security; and what is the Government's policy in the matter.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesOf the total of 26,000 persons on rent and rates strike at the height of the campaign, about two-thirds were in receipt of regular social security benefit. At the latest count some 6,000 were on rent and rates strike and the proportion on social security benefit was still two-thirds.
It has been made clear repeatedly that there will be no amnesty for rent and rates strikers. Deductions are made from social security benefits, and every encouragement is given to strikers to resume normal payment of rent with a reasonable addition to reduce arrears.