§ 18. Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider freezing public sector rents in Northern Ireland in the current year.
§ Mr. David MitchellNo, Sir. It would not be reasonable to freeze rents at a time when management and maintenance costs are rising.
§ Mr. DubsWill the Minister reconsider that disappointing answer, bearing in mind that earnings in Northern Ireland are lower than in Britain, that energy costs are higher and that the people there have suffered from particularly high rents over recent years with the result that occupiers of public sector housing are at a distinct disadvantage compared with owner-occupiers?
§ Mr. MitchellI think that perhaps the hon. Gentleman is not aware that rents in Northern Ireland are about £2 a week below those in England and Wales.
§ Mr. SoleyThat is a totally inadequate answer. The hon. Gentleman knows full well that rents in Northern Ireland have been driven up dramatically by the Government and are forcing people into poverty. My hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, South (Mr. Dubs) is right. Lower incomes, higher energy costs and higher rents are forcing people in the Province into poverty.
§ Mr. MitchellThe increase in rents is 6 per cent. The increase in expenditure on maintenance and management is 8.9 per cent. Housing stock cannot be properly maintained without the rents to make that possible.