HC Deb 26 March 1980 vol 981 c1431
18. Mr. Joseph Dean

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will be issuing guidelines to local authorities regarding a maximum rate poundage that they can levy towards funding their housing revenue accounts.

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir.

Mr. Dean

Will not the Minister agree that, unless some aid or relief from rate poundage is given to the 50 per cent. of council house tenants who have to pay the full rent, the £2.10p increase means that these people will be the hardest hit section of the community as a result of the Government's public expenditure cuts?

Mr. Stanley

That is not the only source for meeting the defict on the HRA. I believe that local authorities will want to look carefully at their overall administration and running costs in view of the figures on manpower that my right hon. Friend has published.

Mr. Michael Morris

Why should every housing authority now not plan to reach a situation where the housing revenue account, given one year with another, is basically in balance?

Mr. Stanley

As my hon. Friend will be aware, that is one of the reasons why we thought it right to abolish the no-profit rule in the legislation before Parliament.