HC Deb 16 November 1976 vol 919 cc467-8W
Mr. Joseph Dean

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of council house tenants is receiving financial assistance in the forms of (a) rent rebate and (b) supplementary benefit related to housing; and if he will give the global sums of money in each case.

Mr. Armstrong

About 20 per cent. of council tenants in England and Wales were receiving rent rebate at April 1976; the total amount of rebate granted in the financial year 1975–76 was about £130 million. A further 24 per cent. of council tenants were receiving supplementary benefit, but because entitlement to sup- plementary benefit is assessed as the difference between a person's total requirements and his income it is not possible to allocate the specific amount paid for housing.