§ 98. Mr. ROBERT MORRISONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the rents charged by the London County Council for their post-War houses on the White Hart Lane Estate, Tottenham, are from 4s. 6d. to 5s. per week more than the rents charged by the Tottenham Council for houses of a similar type in the same locality and built at the same time; and whether this is in accordance with the rules laid down in the housing Regulations?
Mr. GREENWOODMy right hon. Friend understands that the net rents charged by the London County Council on their White Hart Lane Estate, Tottenham, are on average about 3s. a week more than is charged for somewhat similar houses in the neighbourhood by the Tottenham Urban District Council. The London County Council are the owners of a large number of working-class houses in and around London, built partly before and partly after the War, and in fixing rents for their post-War houses on their various estates they have properly, under the regulations, had regard to the prevailing rents of the pre-War houses on those estates. The hon. Member must bear in mind that the Tottenham Urban District Council provide only for the needs 2552 of their own area, but the London County Council provide for the whole of the Administrative County of London.
§ Mr. P. HARRISIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the rents, in both cases, are approved by the Ministry, and that any loss is borne, in both cases, out of the taxes by the Ministry of Health?
§ Mr. MORRISONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there have been over 40 applications from local authorities in London and Greater London for reductions of rents of houses, and that they have been agreed to, and the London County Council has not taken any action?
§ Miss LAWRENCEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the regulations of the London County Council with regard to the rents of their estates are based upon the instructions sent to them by the Ministry of Health?