§ 20. Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the increase in money and in percentage in the average level of council rents since May 1979.
§ Sir George YoungAverage council house rents, in England and Wales, are estimated to have increased by £7.65 or 120 per cent. between April 1979 and April 1983.
§ Mr. StrawDo not the figures that the Minister has given represent a shameful example of the Government's double standards, when they give money away to the rich and penalise the poor by forcing up council rents by more than twice the rate of inflation? Is the Minister aware that in many Conservative local authorities profits from council rents, which have doubled under the Government, are being used to subsidise better-off ratepayers? Does he condone that practice, or will he stamp it out?
§ Sir George YoungThe double standards come entirely from the Opposition, who said that their policy was to increase rents in line with earnings but refused steadfastly to do so during their period in office. The sharp increases that I have described were necessary because the Opposition ducked the difficult decisions that they should have taken. The actual increase in council rents for this year is working out at about 40p per week—about a 3 per cent. increase—which is the lowest increase in rents for 10 years.
§ Mr. EggarIs it not the case that council house tenants who purchased their houses when the Government came into office are actually paying less for their mortgages than others are paying in rent?
§ Sir George YoungThat may well be the case, and it shows the sense of the policy to which we are both committed.