§ 13. Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the proposed Northern Ireland Housing Executive's rent increases due in April.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr.David Mitchell)I have received representations from a number of bodies, including hon. Members, political parties, tenants' groups and district councils. In the main they have, naturally, been opposed to the increases due from 5 April 1982.
§ Mr. DubsDoes the Minister agree that the proposed increase of 22 per cent. is excessive, falling as it does on some of the poorest people in the United Kingdom? Does he further agree that it is wrong in principle that such a high increase should be used as a basis for financing further housing development?
§ Mr. MitchellI do not agree that it is excessive. It is less than the increase in either Scotland or England and Wales. Half the tenants will not pay the full increase, anyway. A man and wife with two children, with an income of up to £6,000 a year, paying an average rent of £15 a week, will receive a rebate. The total rent roll of the executive will be less than the amount spent on repairs, maintenance and modernisation by rehabilitation of the existing stock. After those payments have been met, there will be nothing left to cover management or loan charges.
§ Mr. FittDoes the Under-Secretary of State agree that most of the Housing Executive's property in Northern 979 Ireland is in areas of high poverty and social deprivation, such as West Belfast? Does he accept that there is tremendous poverty in four of the worst estates, not only in Northern Ireland or the United Kingdom—but in Europe—Ballymurphy, Divis Towers, Turf Lodge and Highfield? The tenants on those estates will be asked to pay a 22 per cent. increase so that more houses can be built in the more affluent areas of Northern Ireland. Does the Minister agree that that is a terrible position?
§ Mr. MitchellThe hon. Gentleman is mistaken in thinking that the increase in the rents will be spent on building more houses in the affluent areas of Northern Ireland. Half of the new building will be in Belfast. In any case, a large proportion of the tenants will receive aid in one form or another.
§ Mr. SoleyHas the Minister forgotten that, in 1980, there was an increase of about 26 per cent., in 1981 of 11 per cent. and now an increase is proposed of 22 per cent.? Does he realise that people have told me that it is not a case of going back to the 1930s but to the 1900s, when people on low income, without supplementary benefits, could not meet their bills?
§ Mr. MitchellTenants with an income of up to £6,000 a year, with two children, and paying the average rent can receive assistance in the form of rebates on their housing costs. That covers the hon. Gentleman's point adequately.