§ 25. Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to encourage local authorities to introduce council house rent rebate schemes.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonMany local authorities have done so in recent years, and I hope that others will consider this means of achieving a reasonable level of rents without hardship to individual tenants.
§ Mr. MonroWhile thanking the Under-Secretary of State for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that high rates in Scotland are detrimental to the attraction of industry? Will he encourage councils to have a reasonable rent policy so as to help to reduce the rates?
§ Dr. MabonThis is entirely a matter for local authorities. There has been a steady increase in the number of Scottish authorities operating rent rebate schemes. The last published rent return showed that one in three of all authorities, covering 60 per cent. of all council houses in Scotland, operated rent rebate schemes.