The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Housing Benefit – 18 June 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Housing Benefit on 18th June 1986.


Mr. Heddle Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the percentage of domestic ratepayers in each local authority who receive housing benefit.

Mr. Major Information is not available in the precise form requested. However, a table giving estimates of the average number of rate rebate recipients (based on local and regional authorities’ subsidy claims for 1985-86) as a proportion of the number of domestic hereditaments (subjects in Scotland) at April 1985 has been placed in the Library.

Mr. Andrew Bowden Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the most recent annual estimate of take-up of standard housing benefit, housing benefit supplement and supplementary benefit among retirement pensioners; and what is the estimated total amount remaining unclaimed in each of these three categories.

Mr. Major I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.