asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is aware that persons in Wales who are in receipt of National Assistance are thereby disqualified from any rates rebates; why this is; and what steps he will take to improve the scheme.

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the reply which the hon. Member received from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government last Tuesday.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there seems to be a good deal of misunderstanding about this on the part of the recipients of National Assistance who have heavily rated houses? They seem to think it strange that persons of such small resources should derive no benefit from a scheme of this kind.

Whoever has the misunderstanding, the hon. Gentleman ought to understand that when full provision for the rates is made in the assessment of the Board's weekly allowances it would be wrong to make further provision again.