HC Deb 26 February 1990 vol 168 cc63-4W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) further to the written answer dated 14 February,Official Report, column 222, concerning the amount of poll tax payable in 1990–91 per adult for each region, etc., whether he will provide in each case an estimate of the numbers receiving housing benefit;

(2) further to the written answer dated 14 February, Official Report, column 222, concerning the amount of poll tax payable in 1990–91 per adult for each region, etc., whether he will provide in each case an estimate of the numbers receiving rate relief.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

I shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to the written answer dated 14 February,Official Report, column 222, concerning the amount of poll tax payable in 1990–91 per adult for each region, etc., whether he will provide in each case an estimate of the numbers on family income supplement chargeable to poll tax.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

For family credit, which has replaced family income supplement, information is available only on the basis of the number of adults in families receiving the benefit, and the only breakdown available is in respect of social security regions. The details are in the table:

Number of adults in family credit families
Social security region Number
North Eastern 94,000
London North 54,000
London South 44,000
Wales and South Western 78,000
Midlands 93,000

Social security region Number
North Western 90,000
Scotland 62,000

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, for each week since the start of January this year, the number of applications which have been made for community charge/poll tax benefit; the number which have been accepted; the amounts of benefit awarded as between (i) up to 50p per week, (ii) 50p to £1 per week, (iii) £1 to £2 per week, (iv) £2 to £5 per week, (v) £5 to £10 per week and (vi) over £10 a week; and if he will provide a classification of successful applicants as between(a) pensioners, (b) lone parents, (c) unemployed persons, (d) sick or disabled persons, (e) low wage earners and (f) other categories.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

I regret that the information requested is not available.