§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures for public expenditure in 1987–88 prices on standard housing benefit between the years 1982–83 and 1990–91 in the manner of his answer to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North,Official Report, 31 October 1988, column 494.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe information requested is in the table. The figures are consistent with those given in my earlier reply. Standard housing benefit was introduced in 1983–84. Prior to this, assistance with housing costs was through the rent rebate and allowance scheme run by the Department of Environment.
£ Million 1987–88 prices Great Britain Standard Housing Benefit Housing Benefit to people not on Income Support 1983–84 1,030 — 1984–85 1,100 — 1985–86 1,110 — 1986–87 1,160 — 1987–88 1,200 — 1988–89 — 1,130 1989–90 — 1,100 1990–91 — 1,100 The relevant information for 1982–83 is contained under the headings "rent rebate" and "rent allowance" in the table given in my earlier reply.