§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of council house tenants are in receipt of rent rebates in 1981–82; and how this figure compares with the previous two years.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsOn the basis of returns made by local authorities to the Welsh Office, it is estimated that the percentages of council tenants in Wales in receipt of rent rebates given directly by local authorities at 31 March 1980 and 31 March 1981 'were 22 per cent. and 24 per cent. respectively. These percentages take no account of tenants in receipt of rent assistance through supplementary benefits from the Department of Health and Social Security. No information is yet available for the period since 31 March 1981.
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§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the expenditure on rent rebates in Wales in 1981–82; how this compares with the previous two years in absolute and percentage terms; and by what figure he expects this expenditure to increase in 1982–83 if average council rents increase by £2.50 per week.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsIt is estimated that expenditure on rent rebates given directly by Welsh local authorities in 1981–82 will be £25.2 million. The comparable figures for direct rent rebates in 1979–80 and 198081 are £11.5 million and £15.1 million. The figure for 1981–82 represents percentage increases of 119 per cent. and 66 per cent. compared with 1979–80 and 1980–81 respectively. Direct rent rebate expenditure in 1982–83 is estimated to increase by £5.6 million if average council rents increase by £2.50. These figures and percentages take no account of expenditure incurred by the Department of Health and Social Security in respect of supplementary benefits paid to council tenants.