HC Deb 22 April 1958 vol 586 cc758-9
21. Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a White Paper showing Scottish local authority rents inclusive of rates as at 28th November, 1957.

Mr. J. N. Browne

No, Sir. Since 16th May, 1957, rents charged by local authorities have been exclusive of rates, and the information in relation to the level of rents at 28th November, 1957, contained in the recent White Paper, is necessarily on that basis.

Mr. Lawson

May I take up the last point in the Joint Under-Secretary's Answer? Since, up to the last White Paper, rents included a part of the rates, will not the hon. Gentleman withdraw the present White Paper as thoroughly deceptive of the real position of what tenants of local authorities have to pay?

Mr. Browne

I can understand that the White Paper on the level of rents revealed may be embarrassing to the hon. Gentle man. [HON. MEMBERS:"Oh."] Certainly. If the hon. Gentleman wants information about rates, it is available already in the return of rates in Scotland, published annually. The last return was published only a week or two ago.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that different local authorities have different policies as to whether the bulk of the rents should be paid in rates or in rent, with a view to balancing up between the person in the old pre-1914 house and the one in the modern house, so that the cost paid per person towards the expenses of the local authority should be somewhat equal? If the rents are disproportionate it means that the person in the local authority house may pay a very much larger portion of the cost of the local authority. Would not it be wise to provide this information, so that a proper judgment may be made between authority and authority?

Mr. Browne

I do not think it necessary for my right hon. Friend to provide this information additionally. The fact that the return has been made in this way has allowed people to realise that if municipal rents were to go up their rates would go down.