§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD BROUGHSHANEMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware that municipalities owning property are permitted to increase the rents of houses of which they are the freeholders, in order to meet the greatly increased cost of repairs; and will the Government take such steps as may be necessary to permit private individuals owning house property to be placed in a similar position, so as to enable them to increase rents to meet the costs incurred in carrying out necessary repairs.]
§ THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL (LORD MACDONALD OF GWAENYSGOR)My Lords, the answer to the first part of the question is, yes. In reply to the second part, legislation would be required, and there is no prospect of this at present.
§ LORD BROUGHSHANEMy Lords, I have no doubt that the Government recognise the extreme urgency of the supply of additional houses. Will the Minister explain why private individuals are precluded from erecting houses which they are willing to erect because, unlike local authorities, they are not permitted to increase rents, to meet the increased cost of repairs?
§ LORD MACDONALD OF GWAENYSGORMy Lords, it will be remembered that the Ridley Committee dealt with this matter, and they pointed out that local authorities are under certain statutory obligations, in the management of their houses and in fixing rents, from which private landlords are free. In allocating houses they are required, for example, to give a reasonable preference to persons who are 628 occupying insanitary or overcrowded houses, have large families or are living under unsatisfactory housing conditions. These houses generally require subsidies from the Exchequer and from the rates to enable them to be let to persons who cannot afford to pay an economic rent. I do not think I can usefully add anything to that reply.
§ LORD BROUGHSHANEMy Lords, surely it is desirable that anybody who is prepared to build houses should be given every facility for doing so. It is houses we want, more than anything else.