§ 31. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate for council house subsidy in 1982–83 compared with the subsidy in 1978–79; and how his estimate of the number of council houses built in the later period compares with the total for the earlier.
§ Mr. StanleyI refer the hon. Member to the Public Expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 8494) table 2.7 and tables 2.7.1 and 2.7.2. Support for council house tenants through rent rebates is now funded through DHSS programmes, but my answer to the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Litherland) of 22 March—[Vol. 20, c. 271–2] demonstrated the substantial increase in rent rebate support in recent years. Figures for council house construction in 1982–83 are not yet available.