HC Deb 24 October 1973 vol 861 cc1241-3
13. Mr. MacArthur

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authority tenants in the cities are now paying no rent or a reduced rent as a result of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972.

Mr. Younger

Information submitted to me by the four cities in August indicated that about 100,000 tenants—38 per cent. of the total—were expected to receive rent assistance by way of rebate and supplementary benefit in the period to November 1973.

Mr. MacArthur

Will my hon. Friend circularise these encouraging figures to Labour Members and invite them to eat their words? Has he any information about the number of private tenants who are receiving rent allowances for the first time?

Mr. Younger

As my hon. Friend knows, I cannot be accused of failing to try to explain to hon. Gentlemen opposite the benefits of the rent rebate scheme to many families throughout Scotland. They appear unable to comprehend, though I have done my best. Rent allowances have been of immense benefit to many people who hitherto received no help whatsoever. For instance, 4,200 families in Glasgow and 3,700 families in Edinburgh, most of whom, though not all, previously received no assistance, are now in receipt of rent allowances.

Mr. William Hamilton

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many of those who are paying no rent in Glasgow are in the Cathcart constituency? The hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) has gone to Hong Kong to do a television programme on corruption in the police, and is therefore not here to ask that question.

Mr. Younger

My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) works harder for his constituents than possibly any other Member of the House. On the housing front in particular, he has been doing tremendous work in bringing home to his constituents all the benefits of the rent allowances and rent rebate schemes. I have no doubt that many of them are most grateful for all he does.

Mr. John Smith

How can the Minister claim that people in the private sector have benefited from the Government's housing policy? Is it not the case that the Government promised to bring owner-occupation within the range of many more people than hitherto, whereas the result of three years of Tory policy is to be seen in the highest ever prices for houses in Scotland and the highest-ever mortgage rates and in the fact that it is becoming increasingly difficult for anyone to buy a house in Scotland?

Mr. Younger

If the hon. Gentleman's remarks were to be taken at their face value, one would assume that nobody was buying houses. In fact, many Scots are buying houses. Record numbers of houses are being built for private owners. They are all being bought, and there are many more owner-occupiers now in Scotland than there were in 1970, which is exactly what we aimed to provide.