44. Miss Rathboneasked the Minister of Health, which local authorities for housing have adopted schemes of granting rebates on the rents of subsidised houses in proportion to the number of the 378 tenants' children or to the extent to which their incomes fell below a certain amount per member of their families; what percentage of the population these local authorities represent; and what steps have been taken to induce local authorities who have not yet adopted such schemes to do so?
§ Mr. E. BrownI regret I have no information which would enable me to supply the details asked for, but the matter is being considered as part of the general review of the housing problem which is at present being made.
Miss RathboneIn view of the hardship from which many householders are suffering owing to the tendency of landlords to refuse tenants with children, will the right hon. Gentleman really take strong steps to encourage this system of rent rebates, so that at least the houses towards which the general ratepayers and taxpayers have contributed shall be available for families with children?
§ Mr. BrownAs I have said, we are reviewing that matter in connection with the whole housing question.
§ Mr. MacLarenWould it not be a relief to these people to take the rates off the houses, never mind the rents?
§ Mr. Craven-EllisIs it not possible to give consideration to the suggestion that in respect to houses owned by local authorities the first class of people to have consideration should be those with children?
§ Mr. BrownI will send my hon. Friend the Circular governing the matter, and he will see that there are special obligations on local authorities.