§ 2. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the Government's pay pause policy, he will circularise local authorities advising them to observe a rent pause policy.
§ Mr. DempseyDoes not the Under-Secretary think it is scandalous that in spite of the wage and salary freeze since last July, in the last few months rents have gone up by as much as 100 per cent.? There is no justifiable reason for such a policy. Is it not about time that the Government were consistent and insisted on a rent pause as long as the pay pause is in operation?
§ Mr. GalbraithNo, I do not think I can agree. My right hon. Friend's position is perfectly clear. It is that when there is an average rent of just over 10s. a week, which is not reasonable, any reasonable increases are perfectly justified even during the period of a pay pause.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesDoes not the Under-Secretary agree that if rents are increased, the cost of living is increased, too, and if the cost of living is increased we get demands for increased wages? Are not the Government helping to pursue a policy of inflation and thus 427 worsening the economic and financial crisis of this country by increasing rents?
§ Mr. GalbraithNot when the average rent is only just over 10s. a week.