55. Sir P.HARRISasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered representations submitted by both the Dagenham Urban District Council and the Barking Borough Council as to the scales of rents charged by the London 1133 County Council for houses on the Becontree estates located in their areas; and whether he is satisfied that the special conditions under which Exchequer grants are payable under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, are being observed on this estate?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREYes, Sir. The special conditions for grant are kept constantly under review, and, subject to the settlement of certain points arising on the district auditor's reports, on which my right hon. Friend is in communication with the London County Council, he is satisfied that the conditions have been observed.
§ Sir P. HARRISIs the hon. Member aware that rents on the London County Council estates are much higher than the rents on the estates at Dagenham and Barking?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI am aware of that fact, but I understand that it is the policy of the London County Council to make a larger allocation for repairs.
§ Sir P. HARRISDoes the hon. Member consider it satisfactory to charge existing tenants for repairs which may not be required while they are tenants of the houses?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREOur concern is to see that the particular Statute is carried out, and that is what we are doing now.
58. Mr. JANN ERasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the much higher rents charged on the London County Council Becontree estates compared with rents on other estates owned by authorities in the same local government areas; what is there a son for this difference; and whether he is taking action in the matter?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARE,: I would refer to the answer I have given to the hon. Member for South West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris). Many factors, including differences in costs, operate in producing differences in rents. The provisions in the new Housing Bill for unification of conditions and for consolidation of subsidies will enable local authorities to get rid of a number of existing anomalies.
§ Mr. JANNERIs the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to take into consideration the requests made to him by the two authorities referred to in the question and take any further action in the matter?
§ Mr. RHYSCan he say whether it is not the fact that Becontree estate is subsidised by the London County Council?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREOur concern is to see that the conditions with regard to a subsidy under any one Act are observed. We are doing that now, and shall take any appropriate action which may be necessary.