§ Mr. Heseltineasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much in 1977–78 and 1978–79, or the latest year for which figures are available, was paid to cover the housing costs of those in receipt of supplementary benefit;
(2) what was the supplementary benefit expenditure on rent and rates, together and separately, for (a) home owners, (b) public sector tenants and (c) private tenants in the latest year for which figures 503W are available; and how many people benefited in each category.
§ Mr. DeakinsIn November 1977 there were 463,000 owner-occupiers, 1,423,000 public sector tenants and 546,000 private sector tenants receiving supplementary benefit. Information about expenditure on their housing costs is not available in the form requested, but I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) on 8 February.—[Vol. 962, c.293–4.]—I will send the hon. Member a copy of my letter, when it is ready.
§ Mr. Heseltineasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the supplementary benefit expenditure on mortgage interest; and how many people benefited from it in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. DeakinsIn November 1977 there were 124,000 owner-occupiers receiving supplementary benefit with mortgage interest included in the assessment of their requirements, but it is not possible to estimate expenditure on this item.
§ Mr. Heseltineasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many equivalent whole-time staff would be saved if the Supplementary Benefits Commission ceased to have responsibility for calculating and paying claimants' housing costs.
§ Mr. DeakinsIf total responsibility for all aspects of work on housing costs currently undertaken is removed, there would be staff savings of approximately 2,900.