§ Mr. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details of the number and average amount of rate rebates granted in England and Wales in 1982–83, in total and by rating district.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have today placed in the Library the information requested by my hon. Friend for 1982–83, the last year for which figures on this basis will be available. Rate rebates are now subsumed in the housing benefit scheme for which DHSS is responsible. The figures do not include rate rebates paid in respect of supplementary benefit recipients under the housing benefit scheme, following its introduction in November 1982, or rate rebates paid under the Rating (Disabled Persons) Act 1978.