§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how rent and rate rebates will be related to income in 1983–84; how many households are expected to benefit and at what approximate cost; how many of these households would cease to be eligible; and what would be the saving overall if (i) child benefit were to be increased to £15 taxable, (ii) the single and married allowances were to be raised to £1,800 and £3,600, respectively, (iii) if a reduced rate band of 10 per cent. were introduced for the first £1,000 of taxable income and (iv) if national insurance was chargeable at the rate of 9 per cent. only on income in excess of the personal allowances.
§ Mr. RossiDetails of the way in which rebates will be related to income from April 1983 are set out in part III of the Housing Benefits Regulations 1982 (SI 1982/1124). Approximately 6.7 million households are expected to receive help under housing benefit (including those on rent allowances and those on supplementary benefit) at an approximate cost of £3.2 billion. I regret that the remainder of the hon. Member's question could only be answered at disproportionate cost.