HC Deb 23 June 1971 vol 819 cc1407-9
13 and 31. Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what agreement has been reached with the local authorities on his proposals to replace housing subsidies at present in payment by new subsidies towards the cost of rent rebates; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether he is now in a position to estimate the range in the standard rent before rebate, which local authorities would require to charge on their three-and four-apartment houses in order to bring housing revenue and expenditure into balance after the proposed replacement of housing subsidies at present in payment; and if he will make a statement.

14. Dr. Dickson Mabon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent meetings with the local authority associations in Scotland concerning his proposals dealing with housing finance.

Mr. Younger

I must ask hon. Members to await our detailed proposals on housing finance, which I hope to announce before the Recess.

Mr. Lawson

Is it the Government's intention to welsh on obligations already entered into for houses that have been built?

Mr. Younger

As the hon. Gentleman knowns, I cannot anticipate the details of the final policy which will emerge after consultations with local authorities are complete. As he also knows, we have said all along that the object is to renegotiate housing subsidies so that, in future, they are paid to those people and those authorities who have the greatest need.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that, while in the last series of discussions the local authorities were unanimous in welcoming these proposals, in these consultations many local authorities are bitterly opposed to them? Is it not, therefore, all the more important that a fresh dialogue should be entertained on the subject of a national rent rebate scheme, which we would welcome in Scotland, because of rising prices? It is essential to get the proper base line for the application of the rent rebate scheme if we are not to cause undue hardship.

Mr. Younger

These matters will be discussed publicly after the announcement is made before the recess and will also be discussed in this House before the proposal goes through. The object of the discussion with local authorities is to work out the technical details of a major change in policy. Although there will no doubt be points on which we and the local authorities agree and points on which we disagree, we have had splendid co-operation from them throughout our discussions, which have been very fruitful.

Mr. Lawson

On a point of order. Since Question No. 31 in my name is also being taken, is it permissible for me to ask a second supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker

If the hon. Member wishes.

Mr. Lawson

Will the Under-Secretary of State tell us, without beating about the bush, whether the discussions in which he is now engaged with local authorities are about something to be agreed with or to be imposed on local authorities? How much agreement, as distinct from imposition, will there be?

Mr. Younger

The one thing about which I think the local authorities would be unanimous is that they have been very glad to be fully consulted on all the details of this policy. They would certainly have greatly resented it if they had not been fully consulted, and I am glad to say that they have been fully consulted.