§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the ability of local authorities to waive amounts owed by a pensioner who has stayed in hospital beyond the current maximum time limit before benefit claw-back becomes liable. [77843]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe setting and collection of rents, including decisions on whether or not to waive rent charges for local authority tenants in particular circumstances is a matter for local discretion.
Any such decision may be influenced by the application and interpretation of Housing Benefit rules which are the reponsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Member for Oxford East.