HC Deb 07 February 1962 vol 653 cc405-7
13. Dr. Dickson Mabon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will revise his proposals for raising rents of hospital houses in the light of recent representations made to his Department by the Confederation of Health Service Employees.

30. Miss Herbison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the decision he has reached on rents for hospital houses as a result of the representations of the Confederation of Health Service Employees.

Mr. Maclay

I have carefully considered all the representations made to me, but I still consider that the new basis of rent introduced in November last year is fair and reasonable.

Dr. Mabon

Is it not grossly unfair for the Secretary of State on the one hand to agree to the freezing of pay for many members of hospital staffs and on the other hand to propose substantially to raise their rents? Is it not grossly unfair to deal in this way with sections of the community who are performing such great service and whose standard of life is being reduced by Government action?

Mr. Maclay

The hon. Member will be well aware that a great many of the previous rents were extremely low indeed and bore no relation to the value of the accommodation.

Miss Herbison

Is not the Secretary of State aware of all the problems connected with these houses being tied houses? Is he not also aware that many of the people living in these houses are amongst the law-wage earners in Scotland? Since he has done nothing at all to help to increase their salaries, it is totally wrong for him to single out these people and put this very great increase on their rents, thus lowering their standard of living.

Mr. Maclay

On the first point, the hon. Lady will be aware that the rents of tenants who are required to live in houses at the hospital may be specially abated by up to 15 per cent. to allow for this. On the second point, she should not say that I have done nothing to help to increase the salaries of persons in the hospital service. She will realise that salary negotiations go on through the normal channels.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases the rent increase involved runs up to 400 per cent.? Is it not unjust in principle that employees in tied houses like this should have a level of rents imposed on them based on a calculation which is considerably higher than that obtaining in any other public authority in the country?

Mr. Maclay

Percentages are very misleading in a case like this, because it depends entirely on the point of departure.

Miss Herbison

Is the Minister aware that these increases are very great indeed and that some of these workers are paying far more than they would pay even for privately-owned property elsewhere? Is he also aware that the majority of them live in areas which do not provide the ordinary amenities of life which people now expect? This fact has not been taken into consideration in fixing the rents.

Mr. Maclay

No. The hon. Lady is well aware that the Treasury Valuer has been willing to consider appeals against his valuation, and this is just the kind of point which would be considered on an appeal.

Dr. Mabon

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of these replies, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.