§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to review the division between benefits which are paid for out of the national insurance fund and those which are paid for out of taxation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe Social Security Act 1990 made certain changes in the division between benefits which are paid for out of the national insurance fund and those which are paid for out of taxation. We have no current plans to review the division further.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals in(a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland were receiving rate rebate/community charge benefit in 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 31 January 1991]: The figures for 1988–89, 1989–90 and the latest estimates, based on benefit caseload processed at 31 August 1990, for 1990–91 are in the table. The 1990–91 figures are likely to underestimate the current position, because some authorities still had a number of unprocessed claims at that time. The information requested for 1987–88 is not available.
thousands England and Wales Scotland Rate Rebates 1988–89 5,840 840 Rate Rebates and Community Charge Rebates in Scotland 1989–90 5,700 1,100 Community Charge Benefit 1990–91 7,940 970