§ 8. Mr. Marksasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will send a circular recommending to local housing authorities a maximum percentage increase in any one year in the rents of individual council houses.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI have advised local authorities to moderate any necessary rent increases so far as practicable, to phase any unavoidable substantial increases over a reasonable period, and to limit the increase due at any one time. Any further advice must await the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on this subject.
§ Mr. MarksI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that a previous Circular from his Department mentioned a figure of 15 per cent.? Is not even this high compared with the 3½ per cent. norm for wages and other matters?
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe 15 per cent. figure was in a different context. The difficulty about my hon. Friend's suggestion is that, if we were to have a percentage increase, the largest rents would qualify for the largest increases.
§ Mr. LubbockIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the South Suburban Co-operative Society is demanding increases amounting to 100 per cent. in rents from certain constituents of mine? If I let him have details, will he see that this matter is also considered by the Prices and Incomes Board?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI do not think that can arise out of a Question about council rents.
§ Mr. SpriggsDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that rent increases affect the cost of living?
§ Mr. GreenwoodIndeed they do. That is why we referred the whole subject to the Prices and Incomes Board.
§ 26. Mr. Winnickasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress of the proposed council rent increases which were referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI have no statement to make on this subject pending the Board's report.
§ Mr. WinnickCan my right hon. Friend say what action he proposes to take if these outrageous Tory-controlled G.L.C. increases are allowed by the National Board for Prices and Incomes? Many council tenants are very concerned.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThere is not very much point in referring a matter to an inquiry and then anticipating the decision that it reaches. Perhaps my hon. Friend had better put down that Question after the Board has reported.
§ Mr. Frederic HarrisIf sensible rents are not agreed, is it not true to say 207 that substantial increases in rates must take place?
§ Mr. GreenwoodIf the hon. Gentleman is simply asking me to agree that there are three sources of income to the housing revenue account—Exchequer subsidy, rents and rates—the answer is yes.