§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the cost of rate rebates in England in each year since 1978–79, including and excluding rebates payable with supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. WaldegraveBased on rate rebate returns, the information available on the cost of rate rebates paid to households not receiving supplementary benefit, including local authorities' contribution, is as follows:
Million £ 1978–79 141 1979–80 169 1980–81 223 1981–82 310 The figures for 1982–83 are still being collected from local authorities. Rebates payable to claimants with their supplementary benefit did not start until November 1982 with the partial start of housing benefit.
Authorities' estimates given to the Department of Health and Social Security of rebates in 1983–84 are as follows:
All rate rebates—£1,066 millionRebates excluding those payable with supplementary benefit—£441 million.