Francis Committee

HC Deb 04 November 1970 vol 805 cc1081-2

42. Mr. Barnes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to receive the Report of the Francis Committee.

Mr. Amery

The Chairman hopes the Committee will be able to report by about the end of the year.

Mr. Barnes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for many families in London a furnished flat is their permanent home and that they, therefore, await this Report eagerly?

Is the Minister further aware that in 1969 the average weekly expenditure on housing for tenants of furnished flats in London was £5 18s. against £4 2s. for average households in London? Surely the Minister intends to include furnished tenancies in his rent rebate scheme announced yesterday.

Mr. Amery

The hon. Gentleman's Question relates to the Francis Committee, and it would be wrong of me to try to anticipate its conclusions. If he would put down a separate Question on the particular point that he raised, I will do my best to answer it.