§ Mr. MaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what the cost of rent rebate expenditure was in Scotland in 1979–80; and what that cost was in 1989–90;
321W(2) what the cost of providing rent allowances to tenants in Scotland was in 1979–80; and what that cost was in 1989–90;
(3) how many public sector tenants in Scotland were in receipt of (a) standard housing benefit and (b) certificated housing benefit in 1989–90;
(4) how many private sector tenants in Scotland were in receipt of (a) standard housing benefit and (b) certificated housing benefit in 1989–90.
§ Miss WiddecombeI have been asked to reply.
The information requested is as follows:
Number of housing benefit claimants (thousands) Receiving income support Not receiving income support Expenditure £ million 1989–90 Private tenants (rent allowances) 45 35 110 Local authority tenants (rent rebates) 270 210 360 Sources:
(a) Housing benefit management system quarterly count of claims.
(b) 1989–90 local authority subsidy claims and mid-year estimates.
The information requested for 1979–80 is not available.