§ Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many 18 to 20-year-olds in Northern Ireland have lost the £3.10 non-dependant rent addition as a result of the recent changes in housing benefits; how many are in households where the householder is himself or herself (a) on supplementary benefit and (b) on housing benefit; how many of these householders will be (i) parents of the non-householder and (ii) others; and what are the estimated gross and net savings from this change in 1984–85 and 1985–86.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe rent addition was withdrawn with effect from 2 April 1984 from 15,500 18 to 20-yearolds getting supplementary benefit. It is not known how many of these non-dependants live in households where the householder is getting housing benefit, but it has been estimated that approximately 6,200 housing benefit claimants benefited from the effect of this change. It has also been estimated that more than half of these are receiving supplementary benefit. No information is572W available on the relationship between non-dependants and householders in these cases. It is estimated that the gross and net savings resulting from this change will be £2.5 million and £1.5 million respectively in 1984–85. Similar gross and net savings are expected in 1985–86.
§ Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Government are considering changing the method for calculating student entitlement to housing benefit in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThere are no plans at the moment to change the way in which the housing benefit entitlement of students in advanced education is calculated.