HC Deb 19 January 1972 vol 829 c449
21. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount paid in rate fund contributions to housing revenue accounts for each year since 1945.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Paul Channon)

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Skinner

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that rate fund contributions since 1945 have, in the main, been used to keep rates down, whereas under the provisions of the new Housing Finance Bill rate fund contributions will in future be used to offset reduced Government subsidies? Will the hon. Gentleman confirm, what is even worse, that some of the money from rate fund contributions by all ratepayers will finish in the Chancellor's lap?

Mr. Channon

I know that the hon. Gentleman is opposed to the fair rents principle, but the Government propose to have a fair rents system, introduced by the Labour Party, so that those who can afford to pay a fair rent will do so and that those who cannot will be helped, very often for the first time.

Following is the information:

Rate fund contributions to Housing Revenue Accounts in England and Wales:

£ million
1945–46 5
1946–47 6
1947–48 7
1948–49 8
1949–50 9
1950–51 10
1951–52 11
1952–53 13
1953–54 15
1954–55 16
1955–56 18
1956–57 17
1957–58 18
1958–59 17
1959–60 16
1960–61 18
1961–62 21
1962–63 20
1963–64 21
1964–65 25
1965–66 34
1966–67 38
1967–68 39
1968–69 45