§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the total cost of operating the rate rebate scheme in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. KingI refer my right hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to him on 8 June.—[Vol. 6, c. 44.] The figures given in that reply include the cost of operating the rate rebate scheme but it is not possible to distinguish that cost accurately. However, an estimate, based on the costs of operating the rent rebate scheme, would suggest that the costs of operating the rate rebate scheme are in the region of £8 million to £10 million.—