§ 32. Sir F. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the guidance he has given to local authorities, including Saltcoats, about the level of rents to be charged for their houses.
§ Mr. NobleI have suggested that gross annual values afford the best guide currently available to authorities in fixing rents. In Saltcoats rents equivalent to gross annual value would be on the average 17s. per week.
§ Sir F. MacleanIs my right hon. Friend aware that at the recent burgh elections in Saltcoats a pamphlet was distributed which said:
The Secretary of State wants a rent of £2 15s. per week for your house. Save yourself. Vote Labour."?
§ Mr. NobleThis has been brought to my notice. Very curious things obviously happen at burgh elections, but, as I have said, the only figure I have mentioned as a guide is gross annual value, and this represents 17s. a week. The figure quoted is therefore nonsense and wholly out of line with the facts.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Saltcoats is one of the best administered burghs in the whole of Scotland, that the electorate have repeatedly passed votes of confidence in the leaders of that administration, and that the people of Saltcoats are solidly behind them in their progressive housing policy?
§ Mr. NobleI am aware that the rent level in Saltcoats at 8s. 8d. is about the lowest in Scotland. This may have something to do with the election pamphlet to which my hon. Friend referred.