§ Q8. Mr. Hamlingasked the Prime Minister what representations he has received urging the readjustment of subsidies 1110 in respect of council houses; and what replies he has sent.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir. But any such representations would, of course, be studied by my right hon. Friends the Ministers concerned.
§ Mr. HamlingIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Conservative Party seems to have changed its policy on council rents and, these days, is in favour of compulsion?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not had any representations from the Conservative Party on the subject raised by my hon. Friend's original Question, but, of course, if the Conservatives want to replace the Welfare State by the Means Test State, that is up to them.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the policy of the Minister of Housing and Local Government as outlined in his White Paper in this respect has been repudiated by the Labour majority on the Greater London Council?
§ The Prime MinisterThere have been a number of representations made by a number of councils, including—[HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."] It has not been repudiated, but there has been criticism by a number of Labour councils, including, may I say, Liverpool, a bit nearer my constituency. The reason why they would like a change in policy is that they want us to spend a lot more of the taxpayers' money in subsidising the housing account. We have done as much as we can in the new policy. To go any further we believe would be improvident, and it would hardly be supported by right hon. Members opposite who spend so much of their time talking about cutting taxes.
§ Mr. HeathIs the Prime Minister aware that the Minister of Housing and Local Government in his article in the People of 6th February said that rich people living in council houses ought to be charged £1,000 a year rent? Is he repudiating this means test by his right hon. Friend?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir; my right hon. Friend was referring to the rent rebate schemes in a lot of councils. We believe that this is a matter for the councils, but—[HON. MEMBERS: "Means 1111 test."] The right hon. Gentleman can, of course, issue a statement at 10 o'clock at night on anything he forgets to say. What we reject is dictation from Whitehall such as the right hon. Gentleman is suggesting.
§ The Prime MinisterWhat we are saying is that, within the housing accounts of each local authority, each local authority should have local freedom to decide these matters. We have always said that. What we object to is the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion that council house rents should be raised—[HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."] Will hon. Members listen? I am answering. What we reject is the right hon. Gentleman's proposal that council house rents should be raised all over the country by Whitehall fiat and then a means test be applied.