§ 39. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on how many occasions the rents of houses in Peterlee have been raised; and what has been the amount of the increases since the new town was started.
§ Mr. H. BrookeUntil early in 1955, the rents of these houses were subject to the control of the Rent Acts, and could not be raised above the level at which the houses were first let. Since then, rents have been raised once—in March, 1956. The increases ranged from 6d. to 4s. 6d. weekly.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rents in this new town of Peterlee are far in excess of rents paid by tenants of adjoining council houses, and that the majority of people 973 who live in Peterlee are working-class people who find this burden far too heavy for them to bear? Will he do something about it?
§ Mr. BrookeThe corporation needs to balance its housing account, and so long as it carries out that policy, the actual fixing of rents is surely a matter for the corporation rather than for me.
§ Mr. ShinwellWould the Minister say why working-class tenants in a new town should be called upon to pay what is called an economic rent, without any subsidy whatever, as compared with tenants in houses which are constructed by local councils?
§ Mr. BrookeIf the right hon. Gentleman is urging me to agree to increased subsidies for new towns. I must reply that I cannot do so.