§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the average English council rent level as a percentage of(a) average male earnings and (b) the national insurance retirement pension for a single pensioner and a pensioner couple in each of the years since 1987 for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 18 June 1990]: Average council rents expressed as a percentage of average earnings and national insurance retirement pension levels are notional calculations. In particular, it should be emphasised that council tenants whose sole income is a national insurance retirement pension would usually qualify for rent assistance through housing benefit and others with incomes from other sources may also qualify. For example, in 1988, 1.3 million retirement pensioners were receiving rent rebate from their local authority; the average value was £17.81 a week for pensioners receiving housing benefit and income support and £12.54 for pensioners receiving housing benefit only.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 25 June 1990]: I have held a number of discussions with the Italian authorities to assist them in making safety and security arrangements for England's participation in the tournament and for the appropriate monitoring of the behaviour of English supporters.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when officials or Ministers in his Department plan to meet officials of the Football Supporters Association in Italy.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 25 June 1990]: Officials from my Department have had meetings with the Football Supporters Association in connection with the World Cup both in England before the tournament began and in Italy during the England team's stay in Sardinia.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department has requested from the Football Supporters Association for use in assessing the behaviour of English football supporters at the World Cup tournament.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 25 June 1990]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have today given 161W to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing). My Department has not found it necessary to seek such information from the Football Supporters Association, as officials in Italy during the World Cup are able to provide me with a first-hand assessment.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what aid his Department has granted to the Football Supporters Association towards establishing its football embassy in Italy.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 25 June 1990]: My Department welcomed the setting up of the Football Supporters Association advice centre in Sardinia in connection with England's participation in the World Cup. The question of Government financial assistance for the centre has not arisen.