§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate how many people would benefit if existing rates rebate schemes were extended to cover water and sewerage charges; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonI have been asked to reply.
The number of beneficiaries would depend on the resources available and on the way in which the housing benefit scheme, which incorporates rate rebates, was extended. Of 6.9 million housing benefit recipients, just over 3 million, on supplementary benefit, already have water and sewerage charges fully taken into account in the assessment of their supplementary benefit. The Government have no plans to extend this help to other recipients.