§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultations he held prior to his decision to cut the rate of subsidy for housing and poll tax benefit from 97 per cent. to 95 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardMy right hon. Friend the Minister of State announced on 19 July at column698 that we would that day be consulting the local authority associations on a proposal to change the basic rate of 77W direct benefit subsidy from 97 per cent. to 95 per cent. from April 1991. The associations were invited to comment on the proposals by the end of August, and a number of them submitted written representations.
Following requests from the associations, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State met their representatives to discuss the proposal on 24 September and the final deadline for comments was extended until one week after that date.