§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details of the numbers and average 645W amounts of rate rebates granted in 1977–78 in England and Wales, in total and by rating district; what proportion of each tenure group received rate rebate; and if he will estimate the number of householders eligible for a rate rebate but not claiming in that year.
§ Mr. Shore:The total number of householders in England and Wales who received rate rebates during the year ending 31st March 1978 was 2.70 million. The average rebate granted was about £52. Lists of these figures for each rating authority are available in the Library. I estimate that a further 1.15 million householders were eligible for rate rebate but did not claim during that year. The proportion of householders in each tenure group that received rebates is set out below.
Tenure Group Proportion receiving rebates per cent. Ratepayers who receive rate demands directly from the council—which include all owner-occupiers and some private tenants 14 Local authority tenants 20 Private tenants paying rates indirectly with rent to the landlord 7½ All tenure groups 15 I am particularly concerned to note that the proportion of private tenants is so low, and I am considering what measures might be taken to help to improve take-up in this sector.