§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when, pursuant to the answer of 1 December, Official Report, c. 622, he intends to give a substantive answer to the hon. Member for Thurrock.
§ Dr. BoysonI am replying to the hon. Member today. I apologise for the delay.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the number of pensioners who will lose (a) up to £1, (b) £1 to £2, (c) £2 to £3, (d) £3 to £4, (e) £4 to £5 and (f) over £6 from their housing benefit from April 1984 as a result of the change in the rates in the Autumn Statement:
(2) if he will publish in the Offical Report his estimate of the number of wage earners who will lose (a) up to £1, (b) £1 to £2, (c) £2 to £3, (d) £3 to £4, (e) £4 to £5 and (f) over £6 as a result of the change in the rates of housing benefit in the Autumn Statement.
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§ Dr. Boyson[pursuant to his reply, 1 December 1983, c. 622]: An estimated breakdown, showing the effect of the proposed taper changes and the proposed increase in the minima for standard cases, follows. I have added an extra band, losses between £5.01 and £6.00, for the sake of completeness.
000s, Great Britain Size of weekly loss Pensioner householder Earner £0.01–£1.00 990 310 £1.01–£2.00 210 110 £2.01–£3.00 80 60 £3.01–£4.00 30 40 £4.01–£5.00 20 20 £5.01–£6.00 * 10 £6.01– + 0 * Note* indicates number less than 5,000.