HC Deb 19 January 1972 vol 829 cc450-1
23. Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the present regional differentials in local authority average rent levels, and how these have changed compared to five and 10 years ago, respectively.

Mr. Channon

For information on council rents I would refer the hon. Member to the annual "Housing Statistics" of the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants, copies of which are available in the Library.

Mr. Meacher

Will the Minister confirm that areas with low rents will produce most surplus when the rents are raised to fair rent levels and that areas with high rents already close to the fair rent level will still require Government help to pay their rebate bills? Will he acknowledge that a system which transfers not only subsidies but surpluses from poor to rich areas is the exact opposite of a "Fair Deal for Housing"?

Mr. Channon

I do not accept what the hon. Gentleman says. At present rents are fixed by reference to the state of the housing account and tend to be higher in those areas with the greatest housing problems due to the correspondingly higher rate of housing expenditure. Under our proposals rents will be fixed solely on the basis of the fair rental value of the dwellings.