HC Deb 29 April 1988 vol 132 cc302-3W
Mr. Clifford Forsythe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Housing Executive tenants in receipt of supplementary benefit, having their rent deducted at source, will now be paying their 20 per cent. portion of rates through the post office.

Mr. Needham

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I am informed by the chairman that the executive estimate that some 77,000 of its tenants previously in receipt of supplementary benefit will have to pay at least 20 per cent. of the rates on their homes.

Of these 77,000, some 64,000 had previously their rent and rates charges met in full. The remainder had to meet charges because of non-dependants in the household.