§ 20. Mr. Reader Harrisasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what houses have been purchased and/or rented, and at what prices, by the various new town development corporations for private occupation by members of their staffs; and what rents are being charged in each case.
§ Mr. DaltonThis is a matter of detailed administration, which I am content to leave to the development corporations. But economic rents are fixed for all such houses by the district valuer.
§ 23. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why the rents, exclusive of rates, for houses with the same number of rooms vary so widely both from one new town to another, and also within certain new towns.
§ Mr. DaltonBecause these houses are of different designs and sizes.
§ Mr. BraineIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that despite the variety in the houses, the rents being charged in some new towns are excessively high, and that unless attempts are made to reduce building costs many people may be discouraged from going to the new towns?
§ Mr. DaltonThere is no discouragement. There are long queues for houses in the new towns. I have visited most of them now. and people are only too delighted to get good houses in good surroundings.
§ Mr. BraineAt high rents?