§ 38 and 39. Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, (1) what is the average rent plus rates paid by tenants of three-apartment and four-apartment local authority houses, respectively, in the four Scottish cities; (2) what is the average rent plus rates paid by tenants of three-apartment and four-apartment local authority houses, respectively, in the large burghs of Scotland.
§ Mr. GalbraithThese figures are not available centrally for houses of different sizes. Average rents before rebates at November, 1961, are set out in Cmnd. 1609 presented to Parliament last month.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the Minister not aware that we know the average rents but that the average local authority tenant thinks in terms of rent and rates, and would it not be a much fairer comparison in terms of costs for housing accommodation in England and Wales and in Scotland if we had the rent and rates in both accounts so that we could see what the people are paying?
§ Mr. GalbraithI cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman. It is essential that it should be clear in people's minds that 390 rent and rates are entirely different things.
§ Mr. BrewisIs it not in the rural areas that rent and rates tend to be higher than in the cities, although the earning capacity is lower?
§ Mr. RossDid the hon. Gentleman say that these figures were not available? If he did, can they be got? Since the House wants them, will he take steps to get them?
§ Mr. GalbraithI do not think that the time and labour involved would be justified, not only in my right hon. Friend's Department but also in the local authorities' departments. If the hon. Gentleman who asked the Question wishes, I can certainly arrange to let him have approximate average figures covering houses of all sizes.
§ Mr. LawsonI would not have put the Question down if I had not wished to have the information.