§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pensioners on incomes above the needs allowance for housing benefit are paying tax.
§ Dr. BoysonI regret that I cannot add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 30 January at column99.
§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, further to his statement of 6 February, Official Report, column 613, he will announce whether the review team he is setting up to investigate the housing benefit scheme will consist entirely of members independent of his Department.
§ Dr. BoysonI refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 21 February at column489.
§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown, Official Report, 14 February, column 164–166, he will recalculate the table given to include his planned November changes to housing benefit, assuming (a) no increase in rents or rates and (b) no increase in pensions or the needs allowance between April 1984 and November 1984;
(2) if, further to the answer to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown, Official Report, 13 February, column 244, he will estimate the average loss to pensioners who are council tenants as a result of his planned November changes to housing benefit, assuming (a) no increase in rents or rates and (b) no increase in pensions or the needs allowance between April 1984 and November 1984.
§ Dr. BoysonI regret that this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.