§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many unemployed and retired citizens in the Wolverhampton area have been in receipt of housing benefits assistance in each of the last six years.
§ Mr. MajorThis information is not available centrally. However, on the basis of information supplied by the metropolitan borough council of Wolverhampton, it is estimated that the total numbers receiving rent rebates, rent allowances and rate rebates were as follows:
613W
Year Rent rebates Rent allowances Rate rebates 1980–81 7,100 850 20,550 1981–82 9,330 850 25,700 *1982–83 21,760 1,000 37,500 1983–84 26,670 5,060 44,770 1984–85 27,380 4,020 44,590 1985–86 28,600 5,000 47,900 * Includes from November 1982 for some and from April 1983 for all cases, assistance with rent and rates formerly met through supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to introduce legislation to extend his powers to pay housing benefit direct to the landlord to cover prevention of misappropriation by tenants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MajorWe are still considering the future arrangements for safeguarding the payment of benefit.