§ 40. Mr. JOELasked the Minister of Health the number of councils which, at the present time, are considering schemes for the equalisation of rents under which it is proposed to pool the subsidies and to see that the poorest people get the full benefit and the tenants who can afford it pay economic rents?
Sir H. YOUNGLocal authorities are not required to report action of this kind, or their consideration of its possibility, to me, but under the existing law a general pooling of the subsidies given under two or more separate Acts is not permissible.
§ Miss RATHBONEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable number of these local authorities are pooling a part of the subsidy for the relief of poor tenants, and that the Leeds Corporation is the only municipality which is pooling the whole subsidy, and requiring tenants who can afford it to pay the full economic rents as recommended by his own circular.
Sir H. YOUNGI am certainly aware that the development in Leeds goes very much further than anywhere else.
§ Mr. MABANEIs it not a fact that in Leeds hundreds of corporation houses are being vacated and are empty?
Sir H. YOUNGI am aware that the experiment being conducted in Leeds is not wholly without friction?
§ Major MILNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in point of fact it is a great success, and that there is a surplus in the rent pool of some thousands of pounds?