§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many recipients of housing benefit, by housing authority area, were in rent arrears on 1 January as a result of non-payment by his Department of moneys due to the housing authority.
§ Mr. MajorThe Department makes monthly payments on account to local authorities to enable them to award benefit under the housing benefits scheme. The authorities estimate the sums they will need to spend at the start of each financial year and can submit a revised claim for subsidy if necessary during the year. There is no reason therefore why authorities should not have adequate funds to award rent rebates to those tenants entitled to benefit.