HC Deb 03 March 1970 vol 797 c247
17. Mr. McNamara

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what guidance his Department gave to the Kingston-upon-Hull Corporation in introducing its proposed rents rebate scheme.

Mr. Denis Howell

The corporation, along with other local authorities, was given general advice in Circular 46/67, which set out the principles on which sound rent rebate schemes might be based.

Mr. McNamara

Is my hon. Friend aware that this new rent rebate scheme introduced by a Tory council is associated with one of the most vicious increases in rents introduced by any Tory council in the country? It will have a terrible effect on the low-wage-earning community and its effects will also be felt in industrial relations and wage demands. Will my hon. Friend look at cases of housing being subject to reletting?

Mr. Howell

If it is as vicious as my hon. Friend says, it will have to come to us for approval and it would be wrong for me to say anything about the matter now. But I emphasise, as I said on the previous Question, that all these undesirable trends should be dealt with at the local elections and should be clearly stated by my hon. Friends in Hull.